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As Ecklin South trainer Mattie Craven prepares to welcome back a couple of his stable stars, another high-speed customer is ready to make a return to the races this Saturday night.
Fides’ comeback will occur 25 months after his last appearance, which was a brilliant win at Terang on April 7, 2020.
Craven said the son of Rock N Roll Heaven sustained a torn muscle during that victory and that a few other issues had surfaced, resulting in his long stint on the sidelines.
“He’s still going to need a few runs to bring him right up to speed, but he’s done enough at the trials that he can go the races and fingers crossed he stays sound…,” Craven said.
Fides strung together some brilliant wins before his injury-enforced lay-off, including back-to-back metro successes at Melton where he showed electric speed in the home straight.
The nine-time winner will start from barrier eight in Saturday night’s Woodlands Stud Pace at Tabcorp Park, with Craven to take the drive.
He will clash with stunning last-start Mildura track record setter Cant Top This (Emma Stewart), with Jilliby Nitro (Margaret Lee) and Radius (David Barbetti) also tackling the race after victories at their most recent outings.
Craven is expected to pick up star trotter Pink Galahs from the spelling paddock this Friday and welcome back dual Group 1-winning pacer Heza Son Of Agun about a week later.
Pink Galahs hasn’t raced since the Vicbred Super Series heat on December 21, with Heza Son Of Agun’s last appearance in the NSW Derby during March.
This Saturday night’s Melton meeting is highlighted by the Group 2 APG Vic Consolation Final, which features horses that competed in heats of the two four-year-old divisions at Ballarat last week.
