Kakanui makes his long awaited return at Mornington on Thursday in the final race of the program.

The Brendan McCarthy-trained sprinter was last seen at the races in October 2013 when making all for a dominant maiden win on debut over 1000m.

Form out of the maiden has held up well with six subsequent winners including Pearly Whites.

Kakanui’s effort returned a Timeform rating of 89, a figure suggestive of a horse capable of bigger and better things than a Benchmark 64 at Mornington.

The Statue Of Liberty gelding has caught the eye in his jump-outs prior to this and leading rider Craig Williams taking the ride can be considered a positive.

Williams over the past four seasons boasts a strike rate of 25% at Mornington.

Thursday’s Sportingbet Powered By William Hill Showcase Handicap (1000m) boasts a handy field of sprinters however Kakanui on that debut run sits well clear on weight adjusted ratings.

From barrier 10, expect Kakanui to roll forward and settle outside likely pacesetter Suave Hero.

The class which Kakanui appears to possess should kick in turning for home and will take some catching down Mornington’s short straight.

Topweight Lovemelongtime bolted in at this track and trip 20 days ago.

He shapes as one of the main dangers however the strength of that event appears questionable in comparison to what figures Kakanui ran to on debut.

Maurizio was disappointing at Seymour last start.

Kelvin Bourke puts the blinkers back on and the gelding is capable of bouncing back.

Tatler Belle ran second at Caulfield two starts ago and holds value claims here on that outing.

Kakanui is clearly the most progressive sort of this field though and should kick off his latest campaign in winning fashion.