Trainer Darren Bell admits he is as much in the dark as anyone about the prospects of Falino at Doomben.

Falino makes his return from a spell in Saturday's XXXX Gold Open Hcp (1200m) where he will be ridden by Larry Cassidy.

In Falino resumed as a $17 chance in an open handicap at Eagle Farm and demolished a good standard field with an amazing display of speed in the final 200m but failed to reproduce that at his next three starts.

"I have to admit he caught us all napping that day because we felt he would need at least one more run," Bell said.

"The thing about him he needs it just right. The track can't be too soft and he needs a genuine fast pace. He should get that on Saturday and we are just hoping."

Falino has been a good money earner for his owners, former bookie Fred Lansky and his family.

He has won seven races and $311,000 prize money but it probably could have been much more if Falino had not been hampered by injury.

"He has had a few problems all the way through. He had throat surgery and even had a few complications with that," Bell said.