The comeback of multiple Group winner Sons Of John is gathering momentum with trainer Jason Attard keen to target next month’s $150,000 Winter Challenge with the rising eight-year-old

Hawkesbury-based Attard was delighted with the close fifth, beaten just over a length, by Sons Of John behind Karavali over 1600m at Randwick last Saturday.

The 7YO gelding was having only his third run back from a lengthy 13-month layoff as a result of a tendon issue and delighted Attard almost as much as his win on Saturday’s Randwick program with stablemate Reiby Rampart.

“I’m taking my time with him and gradually getting him fitter,” Attard said. “A race such as the Winter Challenge might be a suitable target for him next.”

Sons Of John resumed from his year off at the Scone carnival on May 12 and then did not start again until June 2 at Rosehill.

The Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) is a month away at Rosehill on July 28 and Attard does not plan to start him again until that race.

Sons Of John has won seven of his 30 starts and is a dual Group 3 winer of the Hawkjesbury Cup in 2015 and the Bill Ritchie Quality at Randwick in 2016.

However he is best known for his performances against Winx, going within a whisker of upsetting the champion mare in the G2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill in 2015 and three weeks later finishing third in her G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.

Attard has also applied plenty of patience to his training of Reiby Rampart and isn’t planning a quick back up for the in-form mare.

“I’m not one to back up my horses,” Attard said.

“I like to let them recover from their runs, especially on wet tracks. By doing that, you get longer preparations out of them.”

Reiby Rampart had a month between runs going into last Saturday’s Randwick race and Attard will wait until for another suitable mares event to come up for the five-year-old.

“Reiby Rampart is so handy on wet ground that I’m sure there will be another suitable race for her in the coming weeks, especially during winter when the tracks are often soft,” Attard said.

Attard trains from the historic Reibycroft Stud at Freeman’s Reach on the Hawkesbury River. The property is owned by Reiby Rampart’s owner Syd Kelly, vice chairman of the Hawkesbury Race Club.