While race fans are gearing up for the return of some of their favourite campaigners as the stakes season approaches, harness racing enthusiasts will have to wait a little while longer before they get to see

the the Jimmy Takter-trained Vintage Master back in action.

Vintage Master knocked heads with the top three-year-old pacing colts last season and claimed victories in the Adios, Cane Pace and divisions of the Tattersalls and Bluegrass Stakes. The homebred son of Western Ideal-Arts Vintage put together a record of 7-8-3 in 23 starts banking over $1.3 million for Brittany Farms of Versailles, Kentucky and Brian Monieson Revtrust of Northbrook, Illinois.

“He’s coming back very good but George Segal [of Brittany Farms] and I decided that we’re not going to race him too early,” Takter told Trot Insider. “He raced tough last year.”

“The first race is going to end up being [the Ben Franklin] in July at Chester. That’s going to be his first stake. He’s probably going to have some lighter events prior to that. To be quite honest I don’t have an exact schedule for him, but there are some races up in Canada coming up like in late-July.”

After spending the winter at Takter’s farm in New Jersey, Vintage Master appears to be showing signs of maturation.

“He’s kind of laid back horse and maybe he’s slightly more aggressive this year. Last year, he was always an extremely, extremely, extremely lazy horse, but this year he seems like he’s grown up a little bit.”

Although the four-year-old bay has entered the aged ranks, Takter says Vintage Master still enjoys his playtime.

“He’s still a little bit of a baby even though he’s an older guy, which is nice. He likes playing around and he’s a good feeling colt.”

With Vintage Master returning and a North America Cup eligible in Rockin Image on his hands, Takter says he is looking forward to the upcoming stakes season.

“They are two tough contenders and I’m excited to try to bring them out in the big races coming up. It’s exciting.”