Saturday night’s Gillies Civil Pace at Tabcorp Park was certainly not the biggest race Idyllic has ever won, but it might just be the most special for the horse’s large ownership group.
The Emma Stewart-trained pacer’s success put a full stop on his long and arduous recovery from injury, which sidelined the star son of Somebeachsomewhere following his Group 1 Gold Chalice triumph in March of 2021.
Managing owner Sue Murray said Idyllic sustained a fracture to his left hind pastern, which required surgery and the insertion of screws to the leg.
She said it was a long and difficult journey back to the races, with his seventh placing at Melton on October 21 his first start in almost 19 months.
“He had to be boxed for eight to 10 weeks, and the horse is a very spirited horse and he hated it,” Murray said.
“He got really cranky, and wanted to bite people and everything. He was pretty hard to handle over this time.
“After that he had to go to a small enclosure and then gradually, over time, he went out into the paddock.
“A lot of work has been put in by Emma, (partner) Clayton (Tonkin) and the staff up there at Ballarat.
“He went into the water walker and treadmill, so it’s been a long rehab for him.”
Murray said the four-year-old’s victory on Saturday night was a huge thrill for her and the large ownership team.
“I was really excited,” she said.
“I get excited with the horses – all horses – and any win is a good win, but to see this boy back was really thrilling. And all the owners are the same.
“We’re all over the moon and so are Emma and Clayton.”
The weekend’s win elevated Idyllic’s career record to nine victories from 20 career starts and took his prizemoney earnings past $170,000.
It was one of four winners on the Melton card for Stewart, who also scored with Cloud Nine, Polly Put Kettleon and Hector.