Trainer Tom Dabernig wants to ascertain whether Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock) still has the zest for racing after a long stint on the sidelines.

Flying Mascot has not raced since last October after scintigraphy discovered bone bruising after a long campaign stretching out over 12 months without a serious break.

After a spell and a steady build-up, Flying Mascot is ready for her racetrack return in the Gr.3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Dabernig concedes the race will be short of Flying Mascot’s best, but he wants to get the mare up and racing ahead of building towards a 1400m race next month.

“I deliberately have got her in nice and early,” Dabernig said.

“The plan is, all going smoothly, is to have a couple of runs in July so she can have her fitness up heading into August.

“The 1100 metres is a little bit short for her, but because she has had a bit of time off, I think it is not a bad starting point.

“Last prep I was a little bit critical that she was being ridden quite close to the speed and I would like to use this 1100-metre race to let her balance up where she’s happy and work to the line.

“Then she can hopefully go to 1200 metres in a couple of weeks and then be ready for a 1400-metre race after that.

“If she can have these runs over a shorter trip while the tracks aren’t too firm, it should bring her fitness on nicely and have her ready to run as good as she can when she gets to a more suitable distance.”

The Gr.3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 22 and then the Gr.2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 19 are potential races Dabernig is looking towards.

Dabernig said a benchmark 100 race over 1400m at Flemington on August 5 could also be slotted in.

With the extended break, Dabernig said Flying Mascot’s jump-outs have not been overly exciting, but the trainer is pleased with the condition of the rising six-year-old.

“One of her jump-outs was on a very heavy track and the other was on the synthetic at Ballarat which I was not really wanting to run her on,” Dabernig said.

“So, I think getting back to the racetrack will be the best test.

“I think physically she looks better this time. She had a woolly winter coat last year whereas it looks a lot better this year.

“She’s eating very well and is lovely and sound, but we have to be realistic that she is a mare and may not get back to that purple patch of form that she once had.”