Red Colossus will defend his Victoria Handicap crown at Caulfield despite a disappointing start to his autumn campaign.Trainer Greg Eurell confirmed the five-year-old was a definite runner in Saturday's Group Three event and has warned punters not to write him off."I wouldn't be surprised if he kicked back," Eurell said."Really there is no reason for him not to as he has given us every sign that he is in good shape."Red Colossus is much better than his recent form suggests and Eurell expects him

Red Colossus will defend his Victoria Handicap crown at Caulfield despite a disappointing start to his autumn campaign.

Trainer Greg Eurell confirmed the five-year-old was a definite runner in Saturday's Group Three event and has warned punters not to write him off.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he kicked back," Eurell said.

"Really there is no reason for him not to as he has given us every sign that he is in good shape."

Red Colossus is much better than his recent form suggests and Eurell expects him show it at 1400 metres on Saturday.

The slow track was blamed for his first up 11th to mudlark Rockpecker at Flemington on March 3 but Eurell admits the Testa Rossa gelding shocked him when he finished last in Bendigo's Golden Mile (1600m) on March 17.

"It was quite extraordinary for him to run that badly," Eurell said.

"Usually he is very honest but he just didn't get into it at all.

"He got back too far, and while they weren't making a lot of ground the way the race was run, he still should have gone a lot better than he did."

Red Colossus is a genuine Group performer who is not far off the best hoses when at his top.

As a three-year-old he finished second to Kidnapped in the 2010 SA Derby (2500m) and the following spring was fifth to So You Think in the 2010 Group One Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).

Last spring he was winless but finished third to King's Rose in the Group Two Memsie Stakes and wasn't far behind the placegetters when sixth in the Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m).

His barnstorming finishes are his trademark and a year ago he powered home to win the Victoria Handicap in dominant fashion.

On Saturday he gets the chance to join Jet Fighter (1897-88) and Debrief (2002-03) as dual winners of the race.

Eurell has booked Noel Callow for Red Colossus who has 55kg in the feature which has attracted 23 nominations.

Lights of Heaven (55.5kg) is a notable entry but she is also nominated for Saturday's Queen Of the Turf (1500m) at Rosehill for her first run since she finished last in the Mackinnon Stakes.

New Zealander Eight Schillings, trained by Stephen McKee, also draws attention after making it three wins in a row last start in the Listed Lightning Stakes (1200m) at Trentham.

The father-sons partnership of John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes have topweights Love Conquers All (61kg) and former Hong Kong Group One winner Happy Zero (60kg).

Love Conquers All was runner-up in last season's Doncaster Mile, Doomben 10,000 and George Ryder Stakes.

Chad Lever is booked for Sam Kavanagh-trained Bagman while other entries include Agrippa, Flat Chat, Larry's Never Late, Sheila's Star, Smokin' Joey, Testa My Patience and Under The Eiffel.