Country Championship winner Clearly Innocent is closing in on his race return with trainer Greg Bennett pleased with his progress.

The five-year-old, who hasn't raced since winning the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone on May 14 after his big win at Randwick, will kick off his campaign in the Group Two Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday week.

He tuned up for his first assignment when second to the Kris Lees-trained three-year-old Guard Of Honour in a 1000m-barrier trial at Wyong on Tuesday.

"It was a nice trial after failing to muster any speed early," Bennett said.

After The Shorts, Clearly Innocent will go to the Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 1 before heading to Melbourne for the Group Three Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield three weeks later.

Brenton Avdulla has been booked to ride the gelding in both his Sydney races with the trainer hoping he will also take the mount at Caulfield.