Picture: Bruno Cannatelli
Gifted stayer Mark Twain is getting ready for a return to racing as he goals to safe one other berth within the Melbourne Cup, along with his first public outing in over a 12 months scheduled for an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa this Saturday.
The son of Surprising earned his spot within the 2024 Melbourne Cup by profitable the Listed Roy Higgins in March of that 12 months, however a tendon damage sidelined him earlier than he may contest the good race.
Co-trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have been managing his cautious rehabilitation, and James is happy with the gelding’s present situation.
“He’s come again in incredible form. There actually hasn’t been a lot downtime for him,” James informed NZ Racing Desk.
“OTI Racing engaged Matthew Williams at Warrnambool to supervise his restoration, and he’s had plenty of success with horses struggling comparable tendon points.”
James defined that Mark Twain’s restoration concerned a proactive strategy from the outset. “From the time of the damage, he remained in constant exercise for 4 or 5 months earlier than having a brief break forward of returning to our secure,” he mentioned.
“His work features a balanced mixture of swimming, treadmill conditioning and monitor gallops. It’s a well-rounded program that appears to be serving him nicely.”
Mark Twain is predicted to have only one race begin in New Zealand this spring earlier than he heads throughout the Tasman in quest of a Melbourne Cup slot.
“He’ll have to re-qualify for the Cup, so we’ll seemingly goal the Bart Cummings in October as his key lead-up,” mentioned OTI Racing’s Terry Henderson.
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