Feroce will always hold a special place in Dominic Sutton’s heart, having delivered the young trainer his first win in a maiden at Pakenham last March.

The three-year-old also gave Sutton his first metropolitan victory at Caulfield the following month.

Six months later, Feroce nearly pulled off an upset in the Caulfield Guineas, finishing just behind Chris Waller’s Private Life.

Sutton, who has seen a whirlwind 11 months since his first starter at Pakenham, now has an additional 18 boxes at Flemington, previously used by Mathew Ellerton.

Still chasing his first Stakes win, Sutton will have two runners at Flemington on Saturday: Feroce in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) and Sword Of Legacy in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m).

Feroce is returning after a strong third in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last November, following his Caulfield Guineas placing.

Sutton is focused on the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1, with Feroce also nominated for Sydney’s three-year-old features and the All-Star Mile on March 8.

After considering the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, Sutton opted to give Feroce more experience at Flemington.

“We get to give him some more experience at Flemington before we go on to the big one after that,” Sutton said.

Feroce showed he was ready for a return with a strong second in a trial at Geelong on January 28.

Sword Of Legacy, fresh from a narrow defeat in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Sandown, will look to bounce back in the Talindert Stakes. Sutton admitted the loss was tough, but he’s determined to see the filly claim a Stakes win soon.