Group One winner Rangipo is free of the back issues that hindered his last campaign.

“He kept going sore in his back and we couldn’t work out what it was,” trainer Tony Pike said.“We checked his stifles and hocks and the usual places and couldn’t come up with anything.

“In the end, we found some arthritic changes in his spine so that was the reason. We’ve treated him and it’s made a huge difference.”

Back to full health, the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby winner won an 950m jump-out on his home track on Monday to further his spring preparation.

“He travelled well throughout and looked pretty happy doing it,” said Pike, who has yet to decide if Rangipo will have a lead-up run before the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings.

“He could go there fresh-up or there is the opportunity to run in the Foxbridge Plate,” he said. “We’ll monitor his progress over the next few weeks and then decide.”