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Rushing horses is not in trainer Jason Ong’s habit, and more so for War Pride, a “typical Tavistock” in his eye.

To the young Australian-trained Singaporean handler, Tavistock progeny are the sorts who lose their condition quickly, and when two-time turf winner (1200m and 1400m) War Pride tipped the scales 15 kilos lighter in body weight at his last start on October 10, he knew a break beckoned.

After needing around 500m to finally come across onto the fence to lead, War Pride  still battled on gallantly for Vlad Duric to run a cracking second to Made In Russia in the Class 4 race over 1400m that day.

Win, lose or draw, Ong had made up his mind the four-year-old was going to the paddocks, a decision that was to pay dividends.

A refreshed and fitter War Pride makes his racing comeback this Saturday in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 1 race over 1200m.

"Like a typical Tavistock, War Pride is an athletic type who is very lanky, but who also tends to drop in condition after each run," he said.

"He's a young growing horse and I didn't want to push him. At his last run, he lost 15 kilos (from 474 to 459 kilos), but during that time, he was working towards that run, so I still put him in that race.

"Surprisingly, he ran a very encouraging second, but I had already told myself it was time for a break. His bones needed to strengthen up and mentally, he needed to freshen up, too.

"He's come back good and has put on some condition, and I was happy with both his two barrier trials."

War Pride, who races in the same Warplan Racing purple and orange stars colours of the Ong family's champion War Affair, was primed and ready for his return, even if the races available were not quite the perfect fit.

"I couldn't have a 1200m race on grass. He wasn't placed in two starts on Polytrack, but we'll have to see how he goes this Saturday," said Ong.

"Vlad galloped him and was happy with his work. He's riding him this Saturday."

Ong would certainly be keen to see the back of a run of outs that began since Ricvelo saluted on February 13.

Victory has eluded Bruce Marsh's former assistant-trainer at his 27 subsequent runners, with hopes now resting on six runners to improve on his current score of two winners for 2021 this Saturday. Besides War Pride, the Ong team also includes Ricvelo bidding to go back-to-back in the $75,000 Novice race over 1400m.

The former Cliff Brown-trained four-year-old brought beginner's luck to new owner Richard Go, a durian trader, and his new name (was previously known as Alexander Horatio) when he took out an Open Maiden race on the Polytrack mile.

Novice company will be a different kettle of fish, but Ong is more concerned about the turf surface, and also hopes the son of Toronado can again belie his underwhelming output in the mornings.

"He did trial last Thursday (March 11), but he's a very laid-back type of horse. You can't tell much from his trackwork," said Ong.

"But from the way he presents himself, he seems to be feeling well. He definitely didn't drop his form.

"We'll just have to see how he is on turf. I think he's definitely in the mix as he ran in good company before (including in the race Leatherhead broke the Polytrack mile record on January 9).

"So, I thought instead of waiting for a Class 4 Polytrack race, why not run him in a Novice race which has good prizemoney. It'd be good for Richard if his horse can win such a race."

From a chance ride at Ricvelo's last-start win when called up to replace the injured Oscar Chavez, Louis-Philippe Beuzelin will this time be the designated pilot from the word go.

"I'm sticking with Louis," said Ong, who, prior to Ricvelo, booked the Bajan-French jockey only once on Life Is Gamble for a sixth place in October.

"As he rode Ricvelo very well, there's no reason why I should change a winning formula."