High-class nine-year-old Julius will present in excellent order in Saturday’s Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa where he will shoulder 60.5kgs.

The injury-plagued sprinter is following a similar path to last year, where he finished fourth in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) before going on to win the J Swap Sprint followed by the Gr.1 Railway (1200m).

“He is very well and has worked up quite superbly,” trainer John Bell said.

“Last year he ran fourth at Counties, then he won this and went on to Group One glory in the Railway.

“I think that if he can run in the first few, it would be just perfect as a lead-in to his main aim which is the Railway.”

After finishing fourth behind rising star Levante in the Counties Bowl last start, the stars look to be aligning for the powerfully built galloper, who has drawn well in barrier 3 for Saturday’s assignment.