Co-trainer David Eustace says Persan has been lacking the X-factor in his bid to get back into winning form.

It has been 18 months since Persan last crossed the line in first position but gets another chance on Saturday when he lines up in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield.

Persan has been to the post on 13 occasions since that Moonee Valley win in March 2021, finishing in the placings on five occasions, including last year’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup when third behind Incentivise.

Eustace, who trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher, said the stable had not seen what they know Persan is capable of, although he has shown glimpses.

“He has been frustrating,” Eustace said.

“We haven’t seen what he can do. He’s raced pretty well without ever really looking like winning a race.

“He’s very sound the horse and is enjoying his work and seems to be enjoying his racing but is just lacking that X factor that will get him back to winning a race.

“His very good run was in the Melbourne Cup (2020), but he only had 50 kilos that day.

“It shows what the handicap system can do.”

Persan finished third in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) on October 22 behind Francesco Guardi and Lunar Flare before running sixth to Soulcombe in the Group 3 Queen’s Cup (2600m) at Flemington on November 5 at his most recent outing.

Eustace said the stable was left disappointed with how Persan performed that day, although an abscess was later found.

“He had an abscess after the run at Flemington,” Eustace said.

“We were a little disappointed with the run. We thought he would run better, but he had a genuine excuse there.

“And he didn’t really take to the blinkers either, so we have decided to take them off.

“He’s also crying out for genuine fast ground, so he’s going to get that on Saturday and hopefully he’ll run a bit better.”