Bullet shows he is on target for big season

Second Bullet showed he is on target for another terrific season with a strong return to racing on Saturday.

After settling back in the field, the Encosta De Lago gelding made a searching run to finish within a length of winner Aloft in the 2000m handicap.

Jockey Damian Lane was full of praise with the seven-year-old's return to racing.

"The way the race panned out didn't suit, as we had to settle further back than we wanted from the wide gate and the pace wasn't that strong which gave the horses on pace the advantage," Lane said.

"If he draws a gate I have no doubt he settles closer and wins the race."

Aloft has firmed in betting for the Melbourne Cup following Saturday's win, however O'Brien wouldn't be drawn on his Spring target for his charge.

Last year, Second Bullet finished down the track in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes before running second in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup to UK raider Francis of Assisi and then fifth to that horse in the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth on the final day of the Flemington carnival.

"He is in good form, so we won't change the formula. We will stick to these early season handicaps and if his form warrants it we will test him in better class races deeper in the Spring," O'Brien said.

Pic by Racing Photos