Trainer Jack Pilkington remains optimistic about the prospects of his colt Am I Dreaming as the three-year-old makes his return to racing at Newcastle on Saturday. The Hawkesbury-based trainer had initially aimed to have the son of Trapeze Artist compete in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, but an illness disrupted those plans and forced a longer spell than anticipated.

Pilkington revealed that Am I Dreaming fell ill while preparing to resume training, extending his time away from the track to 13 weeks instead of the originally planned six. This setback ruled out a spring campaign targeting top-level races, despite the colt's previous experience in Group 1 events such as the Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes.

Now set to start in the Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Provincial Class 1 Handicap over 1300 metres, Pilkington intends for the three-year-old to use this race as a stepping stone to more suitable targets later in the season. The next planned objective is the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle over 1600 metres, which better suits the colt's strengths, according to his trainer.

“I really want to get him out over 2000 metres,” Pilkington said, highlighting races like the Rosehill Guineas as future goals. Although the first run of the campaign is over a shorter trip, Pilkington believes Am I Dreaming’s talent will give him an edge in the $45,000 contest despite the presence of several capable competitors.

Drawn to start from barrier seven and ridden by Louise Day, Am I Dreaming is rated a $9.50 chance by bookmakers for his return. The favourite for the race is Strawberry Impact, trained by Blake Ryan, with odds of $3.60. Other notable contenders include Autumn Flyer, trained by Theresa Bateup at $5.50, and local runner Maui from the Kris Lees stable.

Pilkington will also have a second runner at the meeting, with four-year-old mare Alpha Zeta set to contest the fifth race. Returning to a 900-metre sprint after her most recent run over 1100 metres at Hawkesbury, the daughter of Tassort is rated a $15 chance. Ole Steele, a lightly raced filly, is the favourite in that race at $2.10, while the Ed Cummings-trained mare Doralee is also in single figures with a starting price of $5.50.

Despite the delayed return, Pilkington’s confidence in Am I Dreaming’s potential remains high as he looks to build towards a successful campaign this season and beyond.