Madassa just gets past Sheidel (Photo: Western Racepix)
Madassa will make a comeback to Belmont Park Racecourse on Saturday 27 May for the first time in over 18 months.
The gelding is set to return in a Benchmark 78+ event over 1000m.
Saturday 10 October 2015 was the last time Madassa saw the winter metropolitan racecourse when running down subsequent Group One winner Sheidel over 1000m in open handicap conditions.
The Lindsey Smith-trained galloper carried half a kilogram more than runner-up and recent Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Sheidel on that occasion.
In that 2015/16 season, the son of Due Sasso went on to run fourth in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) behind Buffering but went amiss shortly after, forcing the gelding into a long injury layoff.
The bay horse returned to competitive racing in good style on Sunday 7 May when running a bold race on the speed to finish a narrow second in the Listed Northam Stakes behind First Among Equals, which has since contested The Goodwood (1200m) at Group One level, on the Morphettville course in Adelaide.
"The team is really looking forward seeing him race at Belmont as he has a great record there," Smith said of the second-up Madassa which holds a handy record of seven starts for five wins and a placing at Belmont.
"Young Fred Kersley will be offered the ride" the Group One-winning trainer added.
The gelding is likely to be allotted 63kg by the handicapper and the apprentice's 3kg claim will be required to slightly ease the 63kg burden.
Acceptances for Belmont Park Opening Day will be declared on the morning of Wednesday 24 May.
Let's relive the speedster running fourth in the 2015 Group One Winterbottom Stakes:
#BelmontParkPerth