Group One winner Willydoit took a step closer to his raceday return after pleasing in his resuming trial over 1000m at Ruakaka on Saturday.

A standout three-year-old for trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, the son of Tarzino numbered the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) among his four wins in New Zealand before crossing the Tasman, where he finished fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m).

He failed to recapture that form as a four-year-old, finishing unplaced in his five starts for trainer Ciaron Maher, and the decision was made to bring him back to New Zealand where he underwent a wind operation before rejoining the Clotworthys.

Willydoit made his first public appearance back in New Zealand at Ruakaka a fortnight ago, where he had an exhibition gallop, before returning to the Northland track on Saturday where he was given a quiet trial and finished third behind his stablemates Espadas and Pulsatilla.

Shaun Clotworthy was pleased with what he saw.

“We have been happy with him at home,” Clotworthy said. “He looks good, is breathing nicely and Masa (Hashizume, jockey) was happy with him.”

The Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 5 looms as his first spring target, however, Clotworthy said he will decide whether he will head to the opening leg of the Spring Triple Crown closer to the time.

“Maybe the Proisir Plate, but there are a couple of gallops to come before then, and then we will make a decision,” he said.

Pulsatilla, the winner of last season’s Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m), is also set to head to Ellerslie next month.

“She will head to Proisir Plate Day in a (rating) 75 1300m,” Clotworthy said. “She is coming up nicely as well, she is a little bit stronger, and we have got a good preparation in mind for her.”

Clotworthy was also pleased with Espadas’ trial win.

“He got out and was pretty free flowing,” Clotworthy said. “He has come back better than last preparation, so I am happy with him.

“He has just had a couple of soundness issues, and we seem to have got on top of them, and he has been working well at home.”