A forward showing in a Group 2 race at Caulfield could see Que Tempesta line up in the Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington. 

The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had high aspirations for imported galloper Que Tempesta when he kicked off his spring campaign. 

The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups were high on the agenda for the Irish-bred galloper who raced with success in Italy, but after three spring starts, he was consigned to the spelling paddock. 

Que Tempesta is now ready to return to racetrack and faces five rivals, including Pride Of Jenni, in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday which the stable hopes will lead to a start in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 29. 

The stayer made a stylish Australian debut when a closing fifth in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield last August and was chasing a 'golden ticket' into the Caulfield Cup when sixth in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in September. 

Que Tempesta then made a late bid to gain Caulfield Cup entry with a trip to Sydney for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick but was never a factor finishing second last. 

"We were trying to get him to one of the Cups, but unfortunately, he couldn't get there which was a shame," Ben Hayes said. 

"But it did enable us to give him a good break. 

"He's probably going to need this run, Group 2, 1800 (metres), but we're forced to run in something like this because of his rating. 

"He's a horse that on his day can go well and what we want to see is him hitting the line, being nice and competitive and if he runs well enough, and we're happy, we'll consider running in the Australian Cup. 

"If not, we'll probably hold back and run a week later in the (Group 3) Easter Cup at Caulfield." 

Hayes said the team had hoped to have Que Tempesta up and going a little earlier in the autumn, but a minor setback put the gelding on the backfoot early in the campaign. 

"He was supposed to have a run before this, but he's had three jump-outs," Hayes said. 

"Unfortunately, his last one was only a two-horse jump-out, so it was more like a track gallop, but he had a nice hit-out and he's come through it well. 

"At his best, I think he can be competitive."