Trainer Simon Zahra knows Don’t Hope Do faces a stern challenge when he steps back into Stakes grade in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The five-year-old hasn’t contested a Black Type race since the spring of 2023, when he ran sixth in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) after finishing third in the Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) on Cox Plate Day.

He returns to the level from a benchmark 74 win at Flemington two weeks ago but must overcome the outside barrier in a nine-horse field.

“He hasn’t drawn the best and probably needed to draw a bit more favourably to be really competitive, but he’s going well,” Zahra said.

Don’t Hope Do’s career has been interrupted by setbacks, including surgery to remove a growth behind his knee and illness, but Zahra believes the gelding is now fully mature.

“He’s mature now and there is a nice race in him somewhere over the spring, but it’s just finding the right race for him,” Zahra said.