Twilight Dragon will make a belated return to racing on Friday when the well-performed sprinter begins his winter campaign in earnest at Otaki.

Ardmore Lodge trainer Danny Walker will put a frustrating period behind him when his free-going four-year-old runs in the Hunting & Fishing New Zealand Handicap.

Twilight Dragon was unsuited when he struck an Auckland surface in April that was firmer than he appreciates and since then his preparation has been punctuated by set-backs.

“He pulled a shoe and got a hoof infection and when he was ready to go again he got cast in his box,” Walker said. “He’s had those few hiccups along the way, but he’s pretty close now and he’s had a trial.

“I’m very happy with him and he’ll be thereabouts. My only concern is that a few of the others have had a couple of runs under their belts on wet tracks.”

Twilight Dragon made excellent progress last winter when he put his front-running style to good effect to win four races and ended his campaign with a successful open class debut at Ellerslie.

In third place that day was Civics Rock, who will be a race rival again at Otaki where he will benefit from Anna Jones’ three kilo claim.

The five-year-old was placed on the course behind the top mare I Do three runs back and has since won at Ellerslie and finished a brave fourth under 60kg on a testing Trentham track behind Authentic Paddy.

Civics Rock will enjoy a four and a-half kilo swing in the weights on Authentic Paddy this time while the genuine The Lone Ranger and the progressive mare Frankly look chances again off the minimum.