Following a maiden hurdle win at Hamilton in 2023, it would have been easy to assume True Marvel was headed for a career over the jumps. But since then, the gelding has remained on the flat and taken on Stakes company, including an eighth-place finish in the 2023 Melbourne Cup that earned connections $160,000.

Trainer Matthew Smith is plotting a return to Flemington for this year’s Melbourne Cup (3200m), and the upcoming Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on Thursday serves as a key stepping stone.

Smith also has the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on May 17 firmly in mind, which offers a direct ticket to the Cup, followed by a planned run in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) in June.

“He just needs two miles, but you need to get them fit and there’s not too many options for those sorts of horses,” Smith said.

The Warrnambool feature will be his third start since his Melbourne Cup effort, after a lengthy spell due to a ligament injury that sidelined him for 16 months.

“We thought that was probably it as when they get to that age, it’s hard to get them back, but we did the rehab and gave him plenty of time,” Smith said.

“He’s sound and going well, he just needs to get out in trip.”

True Marvel’s recent runs suggest he’s building toward peak fitness.

“His last run was the sort of run he puts in when he’s starting to get fit, in a race that was too short,” Smith said. “Down there if it gets to heavy, you never know, as he’ll be grinding away at the finish.”

Smith, who recently flew to Perth to watch Headwall run second in The Quokka, confirmed local trainer Matthew Williams will look after True Marvel at Warrnambool.

“He’ll then come home after he runs on Thursday, and we’ll take him back down for the Andrew Ramsden,” Smith added. “Travelling doesn’t worry him.”