Maybe Miami set for return after injury lay-off

A solid hit-out at the Rangiora trials last Tuesday indicated well performed South Island galloper Maybe Miami is on track to make his raceday return next month.

The powerful Iffraaj six-year-old, who numbers a pair of wins at Listed level amongst his 10 career victories, hasn’t been seen since October last year when he injured a tendon after winning over 1400m at Riccarton.

Co-trainer Kevin Hughes, who prepares Maybe Miami with wife Pam, was keen to see how his charge had progressed during his break after his initial six weeks back in work had progressed without a hitch.

“He has come back really well and has been building up slowly at home on the water walker and the like,” he said.

“We just wanted him to get around safely in his trial as he is still carrying plenty of condition at the moment.”

Maybe Miami settled third in afour-horse field and rounded out stylishly over the concluding stages of the 1150m open trial to finish second behind Maid Of Steel.

“He travelled easily and I was pleased by how he finished things off,” said Hughes.

“We had his leg scanned immediately afterwards and he passed with flying colours, so we are going to press on from here.

“At this stage he will have his first race at Riccarton on 23 June over 1200m and we will reassess things after that. I’m keen to get him to the Tarzino Trophy over 1400m on the first day of the Hastings Carnival.

“He is a good traveller and 1400m is his pet distance so that looks like a logical target if we can get him back to his best.”

Hughes is also eyeing a pair of elite opportunities for promising stayer Son Of Zac who is currently enjoying a winter break after destroying his opposition when winning by ten lengths at Riccarton earlier this month.

“He went to the paddock after his last win as he had had a fairly long season by then,” he said.

“He was a fit and happy horse so the break came at a good time for him and I expect him to really thrive with the time off.

“He has come a long way and will only get better as he fully matures.

“We are going to get a bit ambitious with him as I think he is a true two-miler in the making. The New Zealand Cup will come up a little too soon this time, so the Wellington Cup is where we are setting our sights.

“If he measured up there then a trip to Australia for the Sydney Cup is also a distinct possibility. He is another who travels well and we know he can handle some cut in the ground which he could strike in Sydney in the Autumn.

“We do think he is a little bit special so hopefully he can show that in his next campaign.”