David Moran is upbeat about the condition of his star Lochinvar Art, who has shown significant signs of improvement from a foot abscess in recent days.
The Kialla-based trainer/driver has welcomed the five-year-old back to his stables after a long stay at Luke and Belinda McCarthy’s Cobbitty Equine Farm in New South Wales.
The son of Modern Art had been there for the Miracle Mile, which he was scratched from in late February.
Moran said the incision made into the horse’s foot last week – which was done in a bid to release pressure - seemed to have worked.
“He was 4/5 lame on that day and he’s now probably 1/5 lame,” Moran told thetrots.com.au on Tuesday morning.
“He’s really, really good in himself and bright.
“I shod him up and everything yesterday, so now it’s just a bit of a process of just getting the remainder of the infection out, keeping it clean and then letting the foot grow back.
“It’s really good, positive signs.”
Moran said all going well, Lochinvar Art could return to slow work as soon as Monday to start a path towards the Queensland carnival for races like the Sunshine Sprint and TAB The Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship in July.
“For him to probably make Queensland, he probably needs to be able to start working next week,” Moran said.
Lochinvar Art's last racetrack appearance was in the $500,000 Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton on February 6, which he won to claim a seventh Group 1 success.
READ MORE: Concern remains as Arty continues to battle abscess