After a head injury put his promising career on hold, Polytrack speed specialist Cash Advance found no joy at his racing comeback when he kept running into dead ends, but trainer Shane Baertschiger is hoping for a change of luck this Friday.

A five-time winner, all exclusively over 1100m on Polytrack, Cash Advance was forced onto the sidelines for eight months after he fractured his poll (top of the head) late last year. Patiently brought back to full fitness, the Ad Valorem four-year-old raced first-up in an Open race over 1000m on May 3, but things did not quite go his way.

As per his racing pattern, he was one of the best away for apprentice jockey A’Isisuhairi Kasim, but soon found himself pocketed on the fence when Southern Boss speared over to take the lead with Petrenui sliding up on his outside to keep him locked away on the rails.

Into the straight, Cash Advance still had nowhere to go and when he was finally able to switch across heels as Petrenui gave up half-a-length upon levelling up with Southern Boss, eventual winner Cavallo and Happy Money descended and closed the gap, keeping him boxed in a little while longer.

Such interrupted runs are nine times out of 10 costly, and Cash Advance paid for it hard cash. He did eventually find daylight, but the bird had flown, though he plugged on bravely for fourth, only two lengths off Cavallo.

Baertschiger found a similar Polytrack Class 2 race for Cash Advance next, but had to change plans when the event was cancelled, hence the longer than expected 40 days between runs.

“He was meant to run in a Class 2 race two weeks ago, but it was cancelled. Anyway, this Class 1 race ($125,000 Open Handicap over 1000m on Friday) suits him better,” said Baertschiger.

“He has no weight on his back (50kg). The only thing is he’s never won over 1000m, but it’s okay.

“I have no idea how he fractured the top of his poll last year. It took a while for him to recover, but he’s come back good.

“I was very happy with his first-up run even if he was hemmed up on the inside for most of the race. By the time he got a clear run, the race was over, but it was still a solid effort and I’m sure he’s improved from the run.”

Friday’s race will be a rematch of sorts for as many as five of the small seven-horse field. Besides Cavallo, the victor at his first-up run, Cash Advance will again find Huka Falls (3rd), Golden Sand Steed (6th) and Southern Boss (7th) on his path.

“My horse will be fitter for the run, but Southern Boss was also back from a break in that race. He is the horse to beat, but we’ll be in with a chance,” he said.

Baertschiger saddles a second runner in Lign Em Up, a two-time Polytrack winner, but in much easier company. He will be ridden by apprentice jockey Syafiq Hazman while Cash Advance will have lightweight jockey Barend Vorster in the irons.