Star galloper Xcellent passed a step-up in his training program on Friday with no sign of trouble from the tendon injuries which have kept him away from racing since 2005.

Xcellent, who last raced when third to Makybe Diva in the 2005 Melbourne Cup, on Friday ran in a stable trial over 800m at Matamata in Waikato.

He was paired with stablemates Eskimo Queen and Lion Star.

Eskimo Queen and Xcellent drew clear of Lion Star and finished on terms to clock 47.5 seconds for 800m, co-trainer Paul Moroney said.

"He's pulled up good and that's the main thing," Moroney said.

Moroney said Xcellent was puffing a little afterwards, which was an indication he needed the outing, and rider Michael Coleman was encouraged.

"He's had a bit of a blow," Moroney said.

"Michael Coleman said he's getting fit. He said he's still a little bit away, he'll improve a lot from the hitout and that he felt great."

Moroney's brother Mike, who heads the Moroney's trans-Tasman stable, made a special trip from Melbourne to watch the trial. Paul said Mike was pleased with what he saw.

"It was the first time he had seen him in a while and he was absolutely rapt," Paul Moroney said.

"He was delighted with his condition and very happy with where we are at with him."

Xcellent, a five-year-old gelding by Pentire, underwent stem-cell surgery 14 months ago after he suffered tendon injuries to both his front legs.

It has been a steady as you go build-up to resuming racing but Paul Moroney said the Group One $A1 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in Brisbane on June 9 remained the target.

However there was no hurry to get to Brisbane and the horse could be flown as late as the day before the race.

"We have decided we are going to hold him back as much as possible to the last moment," Moroney said.

"We want to have every chance to analyse his fitness to whether he's up to the task we are setting him."

Moroney said there was a flight to Brisbane on June 8 but there was a chance it could be rescheduled to June 7.

In the meantime it is likely Xcellent will have another stable trial on May 24.

PIC - Sportpix.