Zululand’s first chance as a three-year-old to show why David Hayes rates him as the stable’s leading Caulfield Guineas contender will come in the Vain Stakes.

And while Hayes says the 1100m is short of Zululand’s best distance, he would not be shocked if the talented son of Fastnet Rock managed to sprint over the top of his Caulfield rivals on Saturday.

“I think he has come back very well. Hopefully we’ll get nice ground because he’s a different class horse on top of the ground,” Hayes said.

“I’m expecting him to sprint well fresh and get better as the races get a bit longer.

“He’s the stable’s number one Guineas contender.”

The Vain Stakes also features the return of Group One-placed colts Jabali and Cornrow who trainer Mick Price is aiming at next month’s Golden Rose in Sydney as their first major spring target.

But it is another Price-trained colt, first-up Moonee Valley winner Nordic Empire which holds favouritism in the Vain.

Hayes also Moonlight Hussler returning from injury since his impressive Debutant Stakes win as an early-season two-year-old.

Hayes is hoping Moonlight Hussler can also head towards the Caulfield Guineas.

In 2009, Starspangledbanner won the Vain Stakes on his way to claiming the Caulfield Guineas.

The race has also been a starting point for subsequent spring Group One winners Sepoy (2011), Toorak Toff and Star Witness (2010).

Zululand won the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne in March while his best result in three Group One starts was his second to Go Indy Go in the Champagne Stakes on a slow track at Randwick.

Hayes said he would discuss with the colt’s owners after Saturday about a Group One Golden Rose start in Sydney.

Moonlight Hussler suffered a shoulder injury when he jumped a marker in trackwork, ruling him out of the autumn.

“He’s another horse on trial for the Guineas,” Hayes said.

“He’s probably going to derive more improvement from the run than Zululand.”