Lindsay Park head trainer David Hayes expects a bold first up performance from Thronum when he resumes in the Group 2 $200,000 Carlton Draught Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on on Friday night.

Thronum, above, is expected to run well in the Australia Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Steve Hart.

Thronum will be having his first run back since finishing third behind Jungle Edge and Casino Wizard Group 3 $150,000 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown at the end of the 2017 Melbourne Spring Carnival in November.

Hayes is happy with the way Thronum has freshened up and can see the Snitzel four year old being in the mix following some strong gallops on the track.

“He has freshened up well. His gallops have been classy,” Hayes said.

“A small by quality field and I can see him running well fresh.”

Thronum began his career under the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at Tulloch Lodge at Randwick and produced three wins before being transferred to the Lindsay Park Team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

The four year old scored a five lengths win first up the for the new stable in a 1100m BenchMark 78 Handicap at Bendigo on November 1 before being placed at Sandown with Mark Zahra in the saddle.

Thronum has drawn barrier three in the six horse Australia Stakes field with Zahra taking the ride again.

Early betting for the Australia Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Thronum marked at $6 while the Darren Weir trained Japanese import Brave Smash sits at the top of the market order at $1.85.

Brave Smash is also resuming for the Autumn Carnival and hasn’t started since finishing a solid third behind Redzel and Vega Magic in the inaugural running of the $10m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick during the 2017 Sydney Spring Carnival.