Father’s Day is still a month away, but connections of the horse by the same name are hoping to be celebrating a little earlier this year.
The seven-year-old hasn’t raced since he was eased out of the Stayer’s Cup (2400m) at Rosehill in June after visibly shortening stride approaching the 1000m.
He was the race favourite and trainer Bjorn Baker said a subsequent veterinary examination of the gelding found a muscle issue was to blame.
“We think he may have pulled a muscle behind when he came out of the gates, so he definitely had excuses that day,” Baker said.
Prior to that, Father’s Day had strung together two competitive performances, finishing runner-up to Golden Path over 2000m at Randwick in May and filling the same position behind Kadavar over 2400m on the Kensington track in June.
He has been given almost six weeks to overcome his muscle strain and following a solid barrier trial hit-out last week and a pleasing trackwork gallop on Tuesday, Baker expects Father’s Day to rebound in Saturday’s Congratulations James McDonald Handicap (2000m).
If he does run well, he could extend his campaign into the early part of the carnival.
“His form prior to his last run was very good and his work on Tuesday suggested he might be ready to run a good race,” Baker said.
“He’s in good order so we will see what happens. It’s one step at a time.”
Father’s Day will be ridden by Rachel King and is on the second line of betting at $5 with the Ciaron Maher-trained Unanimous, a last start placegetter over 1800m at Randwick, a $2.90 favourite to give premier Sydney jockey James Mcdonald a win in the race honouring his 2023-24 title victory.