Having run second in the Group 1 feature as favourite in 2007, Hoban’s son of Anvil Lad went on to bow a tendon, shattering the most exciting career in Australian trotting and suspending an enthralling rivalry with Sundons Gift.

“This time last year he was walking the streets of Stawell,” Hoban said.

“So it’s very fulfilling to have him back at this level and going on his first couple of runs this time in, he’s definitely better than he was three months ago in his first preparation back from the injury.”

That comeback campaign, which consisted of eight runs between May and August this year and netted two wins – both of which tellingly came at the end of his preparation – displayed that Acacia Ridge still had what it takes.

This season is about getting him back to his best.

As was the case in last week’s SEW-Eurodrive Australian Trotting Grand Prix, an unfavourable draw of seven may preclude us from determining the state of the eight-year-old’s renaissance, but Hoban will not die wondering.

“Unfortunately barrier draws have been against him,” he said. “From out there you’ve probably got to push forward.

“It’s only over 1720 metres and if you go back, you can’t win. At least if you go forward you’re giving yourself a chance.”

While admitting that Acacia Ridge was “probably 10 percent off his best” from 2007, Hoban is adamant that the horse is on his way back and refuses to place limitations on whether he could return to the very top of the trotting tree.

“The horse was huge at Cranbourne first-up and probably ran his personal best time even though he finished 35 metres from the winner in the Grand Prix,” he said.

“From where we’re drawn on Friday, if he finishes in the first five I’ll be happy and if he finishes top three, I’ll be over the moon.

“But he’s still two or three runs from his peak, so we’ll know more about how high he can go after that.”

The Bill Collins Trotters Sprint also features rising superstar Skyvalley along with three-time Grand Prix winning champion Sundons Gift and will be run at 8.40pm.