The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable is banking on a return to Caulfield being a winning formula for Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj).
The six-year-old runs in the Listed John Dillion Stakes (1400m) at his favourite track on Friday.
Ayrton has raced at Caulfield on six occasions, registering five wins, four of which have been over Friday’s journey.
The only time Ayrton has faced defeat at Caulfield was in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on November 18 after which he headed to Perth where he finished 11th to Munhamek (Dark Angel) in the Gr. Damien Oliver Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot on December 16.
“He had a luckless trip to Perth,” Kent Jnr said.
“He loves the 1400 metres at Caulfield where he is virtually unbeaten but for a luckless run in the Sir Rupert Clarke last year and he seems to be in good order for Friday’s contest.”
Jamie Kah, who has ridden Ayrton in three of his five Caulfield wins, returns to the saddle on Friday for the first time since running second to I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes at Sandown in September 2022.
