The Henry Dwyer-trained sprinter Lucky Liberty is set to make an unlikely comeback in next week’s Listed Christmas Stakes at Caulfield.

The 6YO gelding was retired earlier this year after succumbing to injury following G1 Goodwood in Adelaide in May.

Dwyer said successful surgery has led to the return to racing by Lucky Liberty.

“He had surgery to take out the chip and after a long break we put him back into work and he’s been great,” Dwyer said.

“We originally thought we’d just take the chip out to make him paddock sound so that we could retire him.

“It was a really successful operation so we thought we’d give him another try down at the beach where he won’t feel any concussion and he’s got through to this stage really well.”

• Carbine Club Stakes winner Levendi is also being aimed at the Australian Guineas by trainer Peter Gelagotis.

Levendi was spelled following his G3 success at Flemington on November 4 but is now back in work at Moe.

“The Australian Guineas is our target and there are a couple of options in regards to a lead-up race,” Gelagotis said.

“We’re looking at giving him two 1000 metre jump outs and then going straight to a 1400 metre race and then into the Guineas.”

Stablemate Malaguerra will miss the autumn as he continues to recover from strained suspensory ligaments sustained in the Darley Classic at Flemington in November.

“Malaguerra slightly strained both front suspensory ligaments,” Gelagotis said. “He’s in a rehab at the moment but is recovering well.

“We’ve got to persevere with the rehab for another month to six weeks and then give him a short break.”

• Thousand Guineas winner Aloisia could tackle older horses in the autumn with the Aaron Purcell-trained filly being considered for the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

The OTI Racing-owned Aloisia was spelled after finishing sixth as favourite in the VRC Oaks on November 9.

“She’ll resume in the Vanity and then head to the Australian Guineas, the Vinery Stud Stakes and then the ATC Oaks,” said OTI Racing’s Terry Henderson.

“If she was to win the Australian Guineas then we might give some thought to the Queen Elizabeth rather than the Oaks. She’s back in work and has spelled really well and looks good.”

• The Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington on January 1 is the target for staying mare Bint El Bedu following her third placing over 2420m at Caulfield on Saturday.

Trainer Mick Price was pleased with the lightly raced four-year-old’s effort on the back of a victory at Cranbourne on November 24.

“We will definitely go to the Bagot Handicap with her,” Price said. “She’s pulled up really well and walked out free as a bird.”

The Bagot Handicap is also on the agenda for the promising Matt Cumani-trained mare Etah James.

The 5YO has improved throughout the season and completed a hat-trick when scoring over 2420m at Caulfield on Saturday.

“She’s pulled up really well actually, she’s in great nick,” Cumani said. “She’s a big heavy mare and she’s only really starting to dapple up now.

• Tony McEvoy plans to set Vinland for the G1 Australian Guineas despite his disappointing loss as favourite at Caulfield on Saturday.

Vinland, who won at Sandown at his previous start, faded to finish fourth over 1700m after settling outside the leader.

McEvoy believes Vinland was ridden too close to the speed.

“Vinland will now have a freshen before being set for the Australian Guineas,” McEvoy said. “I’d rate Vinland a better horse than Hey Doc, at least certainly at the same level at this point in time.”