He's a grumpy old horse who prefers his own company but there's nothing about D'Jet that trainer Caitlin Lavin wants to change.

Lavin will always have a sentimental attachment to D'Jet who provided her with a timely career boost when she took out her trainer's licence 12 months ago.

D'Jet won his first two starts under Lavin's care at Doomben and Eagle Farm and resumes from a spell in Saturday's Sky Racing World Handicap (1110m).

"He's a bit grumpy and quite independent and doesn't need the company of other horses as much these days," Lavin said.

"He thinks he's the boss but he's a soft soul really. You can't help getting close to him when you've only got a small team of horses."

The six-year-old hasn't raced since finishing second at Doomben last October.

"He pulled up a little bit sore in his front joints after his last run so I gave him a bit of extra time, probably a month or so longer than the vet advised me to, just to be sure," Lavin said.

"He's got quite a heavy action in front which is why he's more prone to that type of injury."

To alleviate pressure on his legs, Lavin has devised alternative methods to help improve his fitness.

"Every afternoon he swims and does a bit of work on the treadmill as well and he enjoys the variety," she said.

"It's a stress-free exercise activity that doesn't have any impact on his legs."

Lavin acknowledges the distance on Saturday is short of D'Jet's preferred range.

"Ideally I'd like to get him up to 1400 metres because he's lost a bit of his dash and first-up always makes me a bit nervous," she said.

"He's had a couple of jump-outs and he's ready to go but you can only get them fit by putting them in races so this is step one."

Lavin stables her six-horse team at her parents' property in the Noosa Hinterland and travels 35 minutes, six days a week to work them at the Sunshine Coast racecourse.