McEvoy took over training Mr Chard three months ago after connections wanted the stallion prepared in the quietness of a country stable.

However, McEvoy faces one difficulty with the horse being away from the racecourse for nearly 72 weeks.  And while happy with the way Mr Chard had adapted to the country surrounds, the trainer was mindful of the long break.

"Look, everything he's done here has been first class. He's thrived and when we took him to the trials those track gallops and good form translated into excellent jump outs,'' McEvoy said.

"But when I took him to the races for the first time I was aware he was a stallion getting on in years."

Mr Chard was narrowly beaten at Morphettville at his first start back, but McEvoy said he was genuinely thrilled with Mr Chard's return to racing.

"He's seven, he's had 71 weeks out and we take him to Adelaide on a very heavy track and he just gets touched off," he said.

McEvoy said the Aurie's Star Stakes was an important event for Mr Chard. He explained that the $100,000 Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on August 21 was Mr Chard's major assignment. "But while the race at Hawkesbury is what we've set him for, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he won at Flemington, just knowing the ability he's shown us at home,'' he said.

"What I think might happen will be he'll be running on strongly and perhaps some of the more high-profile sprinters might have his measure, but he's going into the race with a great chance."

The Aurie's Star Stakes has long been one of the important lead-up races for the spring carnival and, with the inclusion of Sydney sprinter Tiger Tees, the race again has a quality field.

Trainer David Bourne will return to Flemington after his sprinter Zamorar was successful there three weeks ago.  Bourne said that Zamorar had done well since the last-start victory and he was confident that the horse would be hard to toss.