Lost And Running has done nothing but impress his trainer John O’Shea this preparation.

The Per Incanto gelding put in an eye-catching run for third in the Gr.2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick last Saturday, setting a perfect launchpad for the remainder of the spring.

“We were happy with his first-up run. He is obviously significantly better than he was last year,” O’Shea told RacingHQ.

“Hopefully it gives him a good opportunity to move on from there and be competitive in those other races later in the season.

“Fundamentally he is a horse that has learnt his craft now and he is executing well on raceday. We had him a little fitter this week and further forward.”

Jockey Hugh Bowman was handed a suspension for not riding out the six-year-old in the closing stages of the race, but will be back aboard in the Gr.2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) ahead of the A$15 million The Everest (1200m) next month.

“He will be back, he got a reduction yesterday of seven days. He just misses on Saturday,” O’Shea said.

“He (Lost And Running) can be a bit aggressive sometimes and Hugh has got that beautiful nature about him and lovely hands. He really suits this horse.”

Lost And Running was bred by JML Bloodstock’s Lib Petagna and raised at Blandford Lodge in Matamata.

Petagna retains an interest in the impressive galloper, who races in the colours of Carl Holt, with partners including Frank and Christine Cook and O’Shea’s wife Isabel.