It has been a long wait, but tomorrow night’s Tabcorp Park Melton meeting will see the return of last year’s one-time Inter Dominion favourite Soho Tribeca.

The Michael Stanley-trained winner of more than $1 million in prizemoney hasn’t been seen at the races since July 2018 when he fractured a leg during the Sunshine Sprint in Queensland.

But after surgery, a long rehabilitation program and three trials, the son of American Ideal will return to try and win a second successive TAB Multiplier Italian Cup (2240m).

The Burrumbeet-based Stanley is pleased with the horse’s progress and expects a bold showing first-up from his long lay-off.

“He has had enough trials now where he’s at the stage he can’t do anymore there and it’s time to hit the track,” he said.

“His legs are holding up fantastic. He’s going to benefit from returning to the races and having the different tempo, but I’m sure with his class he can go there and win still, no drama.”

While the initial focus is on getting Soho Tribeca through a successful first-up assignment, Stanley has bigger plans in store.

The New Zealand Cup is front of mind, with Stanley likely to bypass the 2019 Inter Dominion series due to its gruelling nature.

“The New Zealand Cup is the main goal. (Owner) Rob (Watson) was really keen last year and things went amiss and we didn’t make it,” he said.

“Now the goal posts have changed. Obviously last year we would have went to the Inter Dominion, but just with the injury and having screws in his legs… we just had a talk about it and thought maybe the three runs in a week and then back-up a week later for the final isn’t the most ideal thing for a horse like him.

“I know things can change, but at this early stage it’s probably something that we are not looking towards.”

The Victoria Cup in October looms as the horse’s first major assignment before heading overseas for a couple of lead-up runs into the New Zealand Cup.

“If we make it that far and everything goes well, we will probably head over early,” Stanley said.

Stanley is also looking towards some of the big races in Western Australia - the home state of Watson - and the AG Hunter Cup in early 2020.

Soho Tribeca has drawn barrier seven for Saturday night’s Italian Cup and won’t have it all his own way in what looks a small but quality field of eight.

Lance Justice’s Rishi and Gary Quinlan’s Professor Tom head the list of possible stumbling blocks for Soho Tribeca.

The race is the eighth on an 11-event program, with the gates for the Italian Cup to fold back at 9.02pm.

“I’m a little bit anxious to actually get him to the track because things can always go wrong when you are bringing horses back from injury,” Stanley said.

“But we are really close now and it’s getting more exciting by the day.”