Andrew Forsman’s young troops have served him so well in Melbourne and he sends Mr Maestro into battle for the final time this spring at Flemington on Saturday.

The Cambridge trainer has enjoyed satisfying three-year-old successes with the Savabeel colt and stablemate She’s Licketysplit, who has returned home after stamping her quality in four appearances.

The daughter of Turn Me Loose won the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) in between third placings in the Gr.2 Tranquil Star Stakes (1400m) and the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m).

She’s Licketysplit wound up her campaign when eighth and less than 3 lengths off the winner Icebath in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

Mr Maestro has won twice at Flemington, including the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) and also collected the Gr.3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield before a brave effort for fourth in the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m).

The Savabeel colt breezed through that run well enough to warrant a crack at Anamoe and company in Saturday’s Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

“We did think about it ahead of the Derby and kept it as an option if he was happy and well,” Forsman said.

“It is a nice race for him, given that I don’t think he ran out the 2500m of the Derby and dropping back to 2000m suits him.

“There’s not a lot to lose and plenty to gain. The owners were keen to have a go and I can’t fault him.”

To be ridden by Michael Dee, Mr Maestro will be joined in the stable’s Champions Stakes challenge by Tim Clark’s mount Mustang Valley (VANBRUGH), who earned her spot following her victory romp in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).

“She has settled in well, given that she’s had a hard prep and a lot of travelling. She’s bright and galloped well this week,” Forsman said.

“The track will be good and obviously we would have liked it wet, but she doesn’t need a heavy track it’s just that she would have been better on it than a lot of them.”