Magic Cassius returned from back-to-back operations and a 15-month break to claim the Hurricane Stakes at Newcastle on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the six-year-old's sixth win from eight starts in a career which has been punctured by injury, and frustration for Gosford trainer Angela Davies.
“He's had more operations than Joan Rivers,” Davies said after the race, comparing Magic Cassius to the plastic surgery-laden American comedian.
“He's always been a very special horse but we've always had loads and loads of issues with him.
“He didn't race til four-year-old. I brought him into work, he went sore straight away but he was such a good sort of a horse I said you've got to tip him out and give him another six months.”
The owners obliged and when Magic Cassius returned he went sore again and went back to the sideline for another six months.
After a poor debut Davies spelled the horse again, before he returned and won four on end.
“He went bang, bang, bang, bang, four races, then had a knee operation, we brought him back then his throat went,” Davies said.
“He was on fire this morning I got him out of the box and I thought game on today.”
Davies admitted she thought the 900m may be a bit sharp but wasn't surprised with the result.
He beat home Didntcostalot and Silent Valley, and will head to the Listed Tatt's Lightning at Randwick next month.
