Gangitano is set to make his return at Caulfield

A bigger, more muscular Gangitano is set to make his return ahead of a spring campaign at Caulfield.

The Amy and Ash Yargi-trained two-year-old resumes in the Quayclean Handicap (1200m) on Saturday after two runs earlier in the season, both at Stakes level.

Gangitano ran third on debut in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield in November before finishing seventh in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Sandown in February.

Ash Yargi explained Gangitano’s campaign was halted after the Sandown effort through immaturity and some bone soreness.

“There was nothing chronically wrong. We felt the horse was going to get better with time,” Yargi said.

“We gave that to him, and we wanted a little prep now before we go and plan something for the spring.

“I think he had six weeks off, then he was back at the water-walker and back into the swing of things.

“He put on about 50 kilos during the break, but he didn’t look any heavier.

“He’s grown and is more muscular. He’s a beast, but he’s been well-conditioned for this race on Saturday with a couple of jump-outs, and he’s going really good.”

Gangitano was entered for a race a Sale on July 7, but after looking deeply into the race the Yargi’s decided against running him first-up on a soft track.

“I thought it was the world’s toughest two-year-old race. It was ridiculous,” Yargi said.

“It was a wet track and while he gets through it, we know he’s better on top of the ground.

“You go down there thinking you might have an easy kill, but on the wet ground we weren’t prepared to do it, so we’ve saved him for Caulfield, it will be dry and that’s where we’re going.”

Yargi said spring plans hinge on Gangitano’s performance on Saturday.

While Yargi expects the colt to stretch out to 1400m and 1600m, first and foremost for the colt is to get a victory on the board.

“Hopefully that comes on Saturday,” Yargi said.

“We’ve got Plan As, Plan Bs in mind, but let’s see what he does on Saturday first and we’ll get the feedback from Craig Williams who hasn’t been on him this campaign as he’s been away.”