Confident of a successful performance in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day before saddling his runner to a disappointing last, trainer Kevin Moses is hopeful of a return to competitive form for Plutorius in Saturday’s Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Randwick.

Plutorius will contest Saturday’s Listed Australia Day Cup at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart

Jumping from the gates well in the Tatt’s Cup, jockey Brenton Avdulla led Plutorius to the head of the field, setting only a fair tempo over the back straight and rounding the final bend, but failing to kick on the final straight to finish well off the pace of winner Multilateral.

Understandably disappointed with his run last time out, Moses told AAP he will instruct the Plutorius’ new jockey, Jason Collett, to take a different approach in the 2015 Australia Day Cup.

“I told the jockey to be careful not to get boxed in because that can happen in small fields,” Moses said.

“I didn’t want him to lead so we will try again.”

Having taken out a minor event over 2400m only a week prior to his Tattersall’s Cup flop, Moses said his desire to see the Holy Roman Emperor gelding perform over the distance in a black type race led to his nomination for the Australia Day Cup.

“I want to see if he can get 2400 metres in that class because that opens up a lot of options for him if he can,” he said.

“He has been up a long time so I don’t know if he will keep going this preparation but at least we will know where he is going next time.”

Securing eight race wins and a further four minor places over his 33 start career, Plutorius began his racing career under the guidance of leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien before transferring to the care of Moses after only two starts in early 2012.

Lining up for his eleventh campaign start this time in in the Australia Day Cup, Plutorius steadily built to the task upon resuming in August; following up a sixth place finish in the Remondis 3.y.o+ (1550m) with comfortable wins in each of the Wyong Cup Prelude (2100m) and Shop With The TAB 3.y.o+ (1800m) most notably.

A final field and barrier draw for the 2015 Australia Day Cup is due to be completed at released by midday Wednesday.