Curran will be out to extend his career when he heads to the Bel Esprit Stakes at Caulfield.

Mother-and-daughter training partners Lyn Tolson and Leonie Proctor are hoping Melbourne's cooler weather will help Curran when he steps out at Caulfield. 

However, a poor showing in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) on Saturday may spell the end of the seven-year-old's racing career that has netted five wins from 39 starts and almost $900,000, all from the $600 purchase. 

Curran has been winless since winning the Country Discovery at Geelong in April 2023 and the sprinter's three runs this campaign have been below par. 

Tolson said there had been thoughts of retiring Curran after finishing last at Caulfield on May 10, but the report from rider Billy Egan told them to press on. 

And with Tolson's grandson Matt Cartwright returning from New Zealand and partnering the gelding in recent gallops, it is all-systems go for at least one more start. 

"We had thoughts about retiring him last start, but Billy said 'I don't know'," Tolson said. 

"He still feels enormous, and he said maybe he needs to get that fitness up a little bit more. 

"He feels the best since he was a three-year-old and Matt has come back from New Zealand, so we thought, we'll put Matt on, he knows the horse really well. 

"He's galloped him a couple of times and he's galloped up well, so we're just wondering whether its wear and tear on the lungs and throat as his action is good. 

"Matthew's not backwards in coming forward. If he's not right, he'll soon tell us after we thought Billy would jump off and say something, but he didn't give us a bad report at all. 

"That's because he feels so good underneath, so if it was anything to do with his action, he would be retired now." 

Curran has been plagued by throat and breathing issues throughout his career. 

However, it was his feet that saw the rising eight-year-old sidelined for 10 months last year. 

"We did give him time out with his feet last year, and since then we've had a few little issues, so it hasn't been a perfect preparation," Tolson said. 

"And with the dust, the summer and the long dry spell, the pollens have always been a bit of an issue with him, so we've probably been a little soft on him too. 

"He's had a few inflammation problems which has forced us to back off for a while, but going into this one everything's been good, and we've been able to get the work into him. 

"There may be one more, maybe not, Saturday will be the day we make a decision. 

"But he'll stay around the farm. He's a great lead horse and he'll stay around for sure."