An extended spell has rejuvenated classy galloper Carrara who kicks off a belated autumn campaign at Caulfield with a view to tackling Brisbane's Group One winter sprints.The Tony Vasil-trained four-year-old will race in blinkers for the first time in Saturday's Pink Ribbon Cup (1200m) after jockey Dan Nikolic recommended the gear change following his last-start fifth to Jungle Ruler at Caulfield on August 28.Assistant trainer Trent Pennuto said Carrara had impressed in his work and jumpouts and

An extended spell has rejuvenated classy galloper Carrara who kicks off a belated autumn campaign at Caulfield with a view to tackling Brisbane's Group One winter sprints.

The Tony Vasil-trained four-year-old will race in blinkers for the first time in Saturday's Pink Ribbon Cup (1200m) after jockey Dan Nikolic recommended the gear change following his last-start fifth to Jungle Ruler at Caulfield on August 28.

Assistant trainer Trent Pennuto said Carrara had impressed in his work and jumpouts and the stable was excited about his return to racing.

"I am really happy with the horse," Pennuto said.

"He had a couple of big campaigns as a three-year-old and didn't have much time off in between them, but with the long break this time he has come back better and is certainly a stronger horse.

"I can't fault his preparation. He's had two solid jumpouts here at Caulfield in the last week and come through them well and is ready to go Saturday.

"He is as forward as we have ever had him for a first-up run and we are expecting a pretty good showing from him."

However Carrara's main goals are in Queensland where he could clash with Black Caviar in the BTC Cup (1200m) and the Doomben 10,000 (1350m) leading up to the Stradbroke Hcp (1400m).

Last year he was a tiring 14th in the Doomben 10,000 in an otherwise stellar three-year-old season which included three stakes wins, including the Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, and a second to Starspangledbanner in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Pennuto said the stable wasn't discouraged by an apparent form lapse in Queensland last year.

"Probably there were a couple of runs that might have looked a bit disappointing but his last run in Queensland (in the Sunshine Coast Guineas) was super," he said.

"He finished third but he probably should have won that day as he got back and was checked in the straight.

"We will find out a lot more Saturday but what he has done in the six to eight weeks since he's been back at Caulfield has impressed me and I can't see any reason why he wouldn't be heading to Queensland again."

He said the Stradbroke was a particularly appealing target for Carrara as it may afford him the chance to be ridden off the speed.

"It is a race where he could get a real hot tempo and that would suit him," Pennuto said.

Despite his impressive stakes record, Carrara is at $10 with TAB Sportsbet to win first-up while Sydney raider Pinwheel, trained by Peter Snowden, is the dominant $3.20 favourite.

Time Matters and Stanzout, who are both at $7, and Amaethon ($9) are others in the market.