Todd Howlett has pencilled in a restricted race on Chipping Norton Stakes day for the return of stakes winner Star Of Octagonal.The four-year-old was one of the early Epsom Handicap favourites heading into the spring carnival but didn't come up to expectations and his campaign was aborted after just one run.But with a good spell under his belt, his trainer is hopeful of a more profitable autumn with the gelding who began making giant strides this time last year.His 2010 autumn preparation netted

Todd Howlett has pencilled in a restricted race on Chipping Norton Stakes day for the return of stakes winner Star Of Octagonal.

The four-year-old was one of the early Epsom Handicap favourites heading into the spring carnival but didn't come up to expectations and his campaign was aborted after just one run.

But with a good spell under his belt, his trainer is hopeful of a more profitable autumn with the gelding who began making giant strides this time last year.

His 2010 autumn preparation netted wins in the Group Three South Pacific Classic over Neeson and also the lucrative Scone Guineas.

The talented galloper took his place among a host of autumn hopefuls at a barrier trial session on Tuesday at Rosehill, settling in behind the leaders and then cruising to a win under his own steam.

"It was good to see him back there," Howlett said.

"You'll probably see him resume on the fifth of March in a Benchmark 95 at Warwick Farm. We're just going to take things slow with him."

Star Of Octagonal hasn't raced since he failed to beat a runner home as the $3.70 favourite in the Group Three Cameron Handicap (1300m) at Newcastle first-up in the spring.

"We couldn't find anything wrong with him, I just put it down to immaturity," Howlett said.

"I know he's a four-year-old but he was an immature type. The time off has done him the world of good."

Howlett doesn't want to make big plans for Star Of Octagonal in the autumn but hopes he can return to winning form and if that's the case he'll progress to better races.

Leading into his spring campaign Star Of Octagonal was on the fourth line of betting at $15 for the Epsom Handicap.

Six months later he is a $71 chance with TAB Sportsbet for the Group One Doncaster over the famous Randwick mile.

"We've nominated for it (Doncaster) but we'll just be taking it one race at a time and if he keeps stepping up we can keep stepping him up," Howlett said.

"I don't want to put any pressure on him."

A $23,000 yearling purchase at Scone in 2008, Star Of Octagonal has won three of his seven starts with another three placings and earned $636,630 prize money.