Star galloper Russian Camelot has demonstrated he is on track for next month's All-Star Mile with an encouraging trial at Werribee.
Trainer Danny O'Brien said both he and jockey Damien Oliver were pleased with the horse's Tuesday morning hitout.
Russian Camelot was making his first public appearance since he finished eighth in the Melbourne Cup, finishing second to Cherry Tortoni in his 1100 metre heat.
“He was out here to stretch his legs. Damien was pretty easy on him to the line,” O'Brien told Racing.com.
“He has blown out the cobwebs and Damien was happy with him, so that's all we wanted to see.”
O'Brien said the four-year-old stallion had put on 30 kilograms since last spring and was a much stronger horse.
He indicated he would consider starting Russian Camelot first up in the Futurity Stakes but was more likely to stick to his A plan and head towards the All-Star Mile at The Valley on March 13.
O'Brien said taking on 1400 metre specialists at Caulfield on Saturday week on a firm track could take Russian Camelot out of his comfort zone first up.
After the All-Star Mile, Russian Camelot will run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on April 10 to round out his autumn campaign.
O'Brien is keen to get him back for the spring to concentrate on the Cox Plate.