Guardini has returned to racing in competitive form this time, and trainer Lee Freedman is confident he is ready for a return to winning form in the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick.

Guardini was rated virtually no chance of a competitive run in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) first-up on March 12^th, but produced a gutsy late effort after being blocked to run on for a credible sixth.

Well suited to the conditions of the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) last time out on March 26^th, the Dalakhani entire found a good position in transit and kicked well, but was unable to completely make up the ground on Leebaz and finished a close second.

Freedman told Racing Ahead he is confident Gaurdini will line up for the 2016 Japan Racing Association Plate in peak condition, and is hopeful leading hoop Hugh Bowman will help the five-year-old to successfully overcome the wide and somewhat awkward barrier 17.

“He’s starting to go really well, that horse,” Freedman said.

“He’s taken a bit of time to come to himself but very happy with him.

“Unfortunately he’s drawn a pretty poor gate but we’ve got a great rider on, so we’ll see what Mr Bowman can do.”

Guardini has been a strong and consistent performer for his entire racing career since first appearing on course in his native France in 2014; posting two wins and as many minors through eleven starts.

Winner of the Group 3 Prix Du Lys (2400m) in only his second career start, Guardini won the Group 2 Gerling Preis (2414m) in Germany most notably in his final European preparations in May last year.

Running eighth in the Group 1 Sword Dancer Stakes (2414m) in the USA on his way to Australia, Guardini failed to fire when 12^th in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on debut in October and was immediately returned to the paddock with a view towards the Autumn Carnival.

Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2016 Japan Racing Association Plate odds, for which Guardini can be taken at a quote of $6 for success.