The on-again off-again career of Al Dhafra moves to a new phase at Warwick Farm on Saturday when he has his first start for trainer Wayne Hudd after more than a year on the sidelines.

Hudd prepares a small team at Goulburn alongside the gelding's former trainer Guy Walter who has a satellite stable in the NSW Southern Tablelands.

Al Dhafra has been been in work with Hudd for around four months and he is more than happy with his progress heading to Saturday's Benchmark 80 over 1200m.

Hudd isn't so happy with the 61kg Al Dhafra has to carry given that he hasn't raced since April last year.

"I think it's harsh on a horse that's been out so long," Hudd said.

"At the moment the idea is to put a claiming apprentice on him.

"He is a horse who has had bad hocks and joint problems and we've taken it slowly with him.

"I've had a couple of horses from Guy in the past and you know when you get them from him they haven't been gutted.

"He's a lovely horse to work with and this is a starting point for him."

Al Dhafra carries a benchmark of 89 into the race.

The gelding won five of his first six starts in early 2010 including the Canberra Guineas and the Carbine Club Stakes, drawing the attention of Hong Kong buyers who made an offer his owners resisted.

He had one more win under Walter in March last year but went amiss later in that preparation.

Hudd said he hadn't looked too far past Saturday's race which he admitted would be a learning experience for both horse and trainer.

"It's taken a long time to get him right and I can't fault him in his work but it's a different story actually racing," Hudd said.

"I expect him to be running on at the end of his race and then we'll know what we've got."