Keystone Del will script a new chapter in the story of an all-time trotting great on Saturday night when the million-dollar gelding makes his return.

A winner of 42 of his 69 starts and only the seventh Australasian bred trotter to amass seven figures in stakes, Keystone Del hasn’t graced a racetrack since failing on August 12 last year.

Trainer Brent Lilley said expectations were modest for the Dr Ronerail 10-time Group 1 winner in the Sumthingaboutmaori Trotters Free For All.

“If he has a good race and pulls up well afterwards that’s all we can expect,” Lilley said.

“It has been a long road back to where he is now. The older horses always take a few runs back and he hasn’t trialled, but has been working at home since the first of February.”

Lilley said much of the lay-off was due to Keystone Del’s recovery from surgery, having had bone chips in both knees.

“Older horses that have surgery can then get arthritis and stiffness,” Lilley said. “I think he’s in pretty good shape, so if he can have a few good runs that would be great.

“He has been a great horse and deserves to run a good race, but I’m not expecting any miracles. If he gets through this race hopefully he will have another run at the Redwood Carnival and we’ll see how he goes from there.”

The stable’s silks will be prominent with pole marker Conan Bridge and well-rated Kyvalley Blur also contesting the trotters free for all, as is El Paco, who will be making his Lilley stable debut for owner Joe Attard.

“Joe asked if I’d take him for one last roll of the dice,” Lilley said of the long-time Matt Craven-trained trotter. “He has worked quite good at home with the other better trotters and I was quite happy with his trial against the pacers at Kilmore.

“I don’t expect him to win, but he should run well. We will give him a couple of runs to see whether he warrants more work or the retirement paddock.”

One horse Lilley does expect to be mixing it up is Conan Bridge, the only TM1 in a field that includes Andy Gath’s brilliant Tornado Valley.

“Conan Bridge has really turned the corner,” Lilley said. “He went through a tough patch where he was a little off and it was hard to pinpoint, but at the moment he feels really well and from the one draw he should run a good race.

“Kyvalley Blur just needs a truly run race because he is a sit-sprinter. If he can get a good sit he’s always a winning chance.”