Trainer Craig Carmody is looking forward to a positive return to the racetrack for his smart galloper Single when the five year old returns to the racetrack at Rosehill tomorrow.
Single will return to the racetrack at Rosehill on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Single was heading into last year’s Group 1 $2m BMW Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 21 last year with three wins behind him but had to be scratched because a fractured off hind leg.
The High Chaparral gelding had to undergo surgery with three screws having to be inserted into the leg which was followed by a lengthy spell.
But Carmody has nursed Single back to racing and is expecting a solid performance tomorrow in the $85,000 Rosehill Gardens Benchmark 95 Handicap (1400m) which could see him heading to Randwick on Doncaster Mile day.
“I would have been more bullish if the rail was in the true position and he’d drawn a better barrier,” Carmody said.
“He’s drawn ten with the rail out eight metres and I’m not too sure how the speed is going to measure up.”
“Having said that I think he will run very well, he’s obviously going to improve but he is working well.”
Single has had two barrier trials in preparation for his return after getting the all clear from Randwick Equine Centre veterinarian surgeon Chris O’Sullivan.
“Chris O’Sullivan at Randwick Equine Centre did the operation and it consolidated very well,” Carmody said.
“He spent four months out in the paddock and has had three and a half months work to prepare him for this and I haven’t had a hiccup with the injury.”
“The first trial was a bit upside down because he was very fresh and it was over 1200m and they walked. I put him over 1050m for his second one to ensure there was more speed on and he found the line encouragingly.”
Single showed last year that distances over 1600m and further are within his range when racing at his top and Carmody has no qualms about sending him out over 1400m at his first run for ten months after having won twice first up in the past over 1400m and 1500m.
A solid pace is expected to suit Single with noted on pace runners Merlin Mustang and Samui Lad certain to make sure that the tempo is genuine, giving the backmarkers a chance to run home in the straight.
Front runner Merlin Mustang has come up the early favourite at $4.80 in front of Samui Lad and Testarhythm at $6.50 and Riva De Lago at $7.
Single is on the next line of betting at $8 just in front of Bello at $8.50.
