Sidelined for more than 14 months, the Patrick Shaw-trained galloper My Son is on the comeback trail and making steady progress.
The smart Australian-bred gelding, whose last start was in a Kranji Stakes A race (1200m) when fifth to Mr Raffles on August 31 2012, took his first steps towards a return by competing in Tuesday’s barrier trials.
Ridden by apprentice jockey Hassan Amin, the seven-year-old son of Hawk Wing showed no signs of being troubled by the foot injury that had plagued him to finish fourth in a decent time of 1min 0.82secs, about two and a half lengths off the winner Divine Hero (Manoel Nunes).
“He’s working himself back to fitness but Patrick doesn’t want to rush him,” said long-time partner Barend Vorster, who has ridden My Son at about two-thirds of his 43 career starts for six wins. “He’s a good horse and has done well for me before. We’ve won quite a few races together.”
My Son has collected nine career victories, including landing the Winner21.com Trophy Open twice (2009 and 2010) over 1200m and has made over $500,000 in stakes earnings.
“He had some issues with his foot which take a while to recover,” said Vorster, who has been keeping tabs on his progress in recent months.
Another gelding returning to action is the Laurie Laxon-trained Tim where hopes are that a four-month spell away could prove to be the tonic needed to get the galloper back to winning ways.
After recording three wins in his first 10 starts, the New Zealand-bred gelding appeared to be on the wane as fatigue caught up with him, finishing fifth, sixth and last before he was sent for a much-needed break.
“We decided to give him a spell because he looked tired after working so hard,” said Shane Ellis, assistant-trainer to Laxon. “He’s come back looking well rested and good to go again.”
He was satisfied with the performance of the four-year-old son of Elusive Quality during Tuesday’s trials, his first outing since the extended spell on the sidelines.
“He needed the workout and it was a good hit-out for him,” said Ellis. “He trialled okay and he’s coming along nicely but we still need to do some work on him.”
Owned by the Oscar Racing Stable with over $130,000 in prizemoney earned, Tim will line up in the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C race (1000m) this Sunday against a strong field that includes the very promising Got Luck and useful galloper Golden Sand Steed.
“He’s got a good record on Polytrack and he should run a front race,” said Ellis, who will partner Tim with leading Malaysian apprentice jockey Rueven Ravindra for the first time.
“He’s the top apprentice in Malaysia (with 16 wins this season to lead the standings) and he can claim 3kg. So he’ll help to bring the weight down for the horse.”
Following into the footsteps of many Malaysian jockeys who have travelled down South for the new experience, Rueven will be at his first appearance at Kranji.
