Despite it being the venue of his biggest failure, Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto) is a likely contender for the Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on the final day of the Victoria Racing Club carnival.

Trainer John O’Shea said he was keen for the sprinter to be given a chance to make amends for his 14th placing in autumn’s Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) down the straight 1200-metre course and so he had factored a start in the A$3 million straight race into the sprinter’s spring preparation.

“I have always felt he is going to be effective down the straight,” O’Shea said,

“That was a messy race the Newmarket and a lot of horses that were well beaten came out and won at their next start so I’m willing just to overlook that run.

“His preparation was a little disjointed this year with the wet tracks and so on but timing wise, it’s good from The Everest to that race and we hope to get him there at the top of his game.”