Trainer Matthew Dunn thinks his gelding Care To Think is the class of the field in Saturday’s Group 3 $250,000 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben despite missing the $1 million Kosciusko (1200m) at Randwick last month.

After undergoing successful airway surgery following his last race, an elevated temperature was the reason for Care To Think’s late Kosciusko withdrawal. He’ll be first-up since June at Doomben on the weekend, although Dunn admits fitness isn’t entirely on the five-year old’s side after a lengthy spell.

“He’s good, he’s exactly where I’d want him going into any race” Dunn told RSN on Friday morning.

“Obviously fitness isn’t 100% there yet, but he’s finally drawn a decent gate which will give him a nice soft run, and provided he doesn’t do any work, his class will take him a long way.”

Care To Think has drawn barrier one ahead of Saturday’s race, the perfect gate to ease him back into a steady racing pattern.

Jockey Ryan Maloney will be aboard for the first time, while Dunn thinks the plan will be to find early cover to try and calm the nerves.

“He’ll probably end up box seating tomorrow, we’ll come out nice and soft and get him cover, teach him to relax and regroup his preparation pretty much” Dunn said.

Before running a disappointing 14th in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben back in June, Care To Think’s last win came earlier in January over a similar distance at the Gold Coast.

Dunn thinks another appearance at the Gold Coast in next year’s $1 million Magic Millions is on the cards, adding: “He’s set to peak on Magic Millions Day in January,” when asked on Care To Think’s form.

Ladbrokes.com.au currently has Care To Think on the second line of betting at $4.20 odds alongside Tyzone, while the Jenny Graham trained Victorem remains the $2.90 favourite.