The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable has chosen a pure speed test at Caulfield to kick off Espionage’s three-year-old campaign, with the colt set to race in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on Saturday.

Espionage, a Zoustar colt, missed the spring campaign due to a small setback after trialling at Randwick last August. Bott confirmed the issue is behind the horse, who has completed two trials and a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday in preparation for his return.

Espionage has been in Melbourne for three weeks and trialled well at Flemington on February 7, finishing second to Traffic Warden, who went on to be a contender in the Lightning Stakes. Initially, Espionage was intended for the Lightning Stakes, but Bott opted for the Oakleigh Plate to give the colt experience against seasoned performers.

With 50kg on Saturday, Espionage will be ridden by Dean Yendall. “We didn’t see as much of him as we would have liked, and that weighed into the decision not to run in the Lightning,” Bott said. “His two-year-old form was excellent, and he’s a better three-year-old now.”

Saturday’s race is a stepping stone for the Oakleigh Plate and will lead to the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 8. “He’s had time to settle in and get the prep right,” Bott added.