There is no doubting the staying credentials of Through Irish Eyes, but the question remains is he ready to put his best foot forward after a long injury lay-off.
The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper steps up in journey in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) on Saturday, his third run in just under two years.
Through Irish Eyes won the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington as a three-year-old and the following year ran second in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm before running second in the Flemington Cup in 2022.
The gelding had one more start that preparation, again finishing second over 2530m at Flemington before spending 22 months away from the racetrack.
“He injured a tendon,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
“He went through the rehab process and has been given a slow build-up.
“Given that time off and being the staying horse he is, there has been a little of trust put in the horse to get up to a suitable trip.
“He’s not a fast horse, so hopefully 2800 metres, third-up, we start to get closer, and he starts getting warm getting out to that trip.”
Through Irish Eyes was beaten more than 10 lengths first-up at Sandown and was then just over four lengths behind stablemate Wyclif at Caulfield over 2000m last time out.
Turnbull described both efforts as a pass mark while also noting he needs to improve.
“It is hard to come back from a tendon and hit the ground running,” Turnbull said.
“I like to see them get a bit of racing under them, blow the cobwebs out and usually that brings them on.
“He’s trained on well at Ballarat. Dec (Maher) and the team up there have been happy.
“He looks terrific, his fitness levels are good, it’s just a matter of him getting back into the swing of things on race day.
“If he got back to form, he’s clearly got the ability, and good flat ability, then he could run a race.”
Turnbull said the stable was still weighing up whether to run Alakahan in Saturday’s race, saying the contest was not overly strong.
Alakahan was a last start Warrnambool hurdle winner but is also an acceptor for the Brendan Drechsler Hurdle (3500m) at Pakenham on Sunday.
