Connections report Ayrton to be motoring ahead of his return to action in Saturday's Group 3 Victoria Handicap at Caulfield.
The gelding's career was left in doubt after he was hospitalised following a spider bite last spring.
Back on the track
However, after an extensive rehabilitation process. the four-year-old is ready to resume and co-trainer Mick Kent Jnr is confident he heads into Saturday's race, for which he is an 8/5 chance, in top form.
"We didn't quite know if we'd ever get him back to the same kind of form, and I suppose we still won't know until raceday, but the horse has thrived this preparation," Kent Jnr said.
"He lightened off terribly after a long time in hospital and loads of antibiotics through his system, but we gave him a good long spell and a thorough build up; going very slowly with lots of the long, slow miles
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"That leg where he got the spider bite has never given him any trouble and he's moving as well as ever he's moved.
"He's more furnished, time was always going to be friend, and he's certainly carrying more condition than he ever has before but he seems to be going super."
Decent draw
Ayrton has drawn barrier two in the field of 16 and will carry 54 kilograms under Jamie Kah in a race that will be part of our Sports Live Streaming offering.
Kent Jnr believes Saturday's outing, regardless of the result, will prove to be a valuable experience, with big targets to come later in the year.
"He'll definitely take a lot from the run and that's the idea, so whether he wins or not this weekend it's a prep run to get him ready for the Queensland Carnival," Kent Jnr said.
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