A barrier trial hitout at Rosehill on Tuesday has all but confirmed a Chipping Norton Stakes return for Maluckyday."All going well, if he pulls up well he'll be running on Saturday," co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.The highly-talented four-year-old finished second in a 900m heat behind Syreon with Doncaster Mile winner Rangirangdoo trialling well in third."His trial was good," Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, said of Maluckyday."They just outsprinted him,

A barrier trial hitout at Rosehill on Tuesday has all but confirmed a Chipping Norton Stakes return for Maluckyday.

"All going well, if he pulls up well he'll be running on Saturday," co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.

The highly-talented four-year-old finished second in a 900m heat behind Syreon with Doncaster Mile winner Rangirangdoo trialling well in third.

"His trial was good," Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, said of Maluckyday.

"They just outsprinted him, they didn't go overly hard but he hit the line well

and that was all that was asked for."

The son of Zabeel announced himself as a staying star when he rose through the ranks during the spring to win the Group Three Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington before a game second to Americain in the Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Maluckyday was nominated to return in last week's Group One Futurity Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne but he remained in Sydney to kick off his campaign in what will be a star-studded Group One Chipping Norton (1600m) at Warwick Farm.

"He was already here in Sydney, he would have had to be floated down and floated back, it was either one or the other and we just decided to stay here," Hawkes said.

The gelding will face his first weight-for-age test in the Chipping Norton, Sydney's first Group One race of the year.

The race will be part of only a light autumn campaign for the stayer who is the $5 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the Group One BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 2.

But going one better in the Melbourne Cup later this year is his major 2011 target.

"He's come back a lot stronger this time," Hawkes said.

"As far as expectations go, we've got to start him somewhere. Whatever he does on Saturday he'll definitely improve on.

"It was always going to be a light autumn, so look, as long as he comes out and races well and keeps improving that's all you can ask for. It's a long road to the Melbourne Cup, but in saying that he's done well and I can't fault him."

Champion jockey Jim Cassidy will reunite with Maluckyday in the Chipping Norton which has attracted 15 nominations including 11 individual Group One winners.

Cassidy rode Maluckyday in four of his six starts in the spring including victories in the Listed Tatts Club Cup (2400m) at Randwick and the Lexus Stakes.

He was already committed to the Melbourne Cup ride on Once Were Wild so Luke Nolen picked up the mount for his second to Americain.