Jockey Stephen Baster is looking forward to returning from an injury lay-off at Moonee Valley where his book of rides is set to include stakes winner Tawteen.
Baster has not ridden in a race since mid-June having taken time off during the winter due to tendonitis in his groin.
He will be riding at Moonee Valley on Saturday and has confirmed he will be aboard the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained stablemates Tawteen and Haybah who are nominated to resume.
Tawteen is entered for two races, a benchmark event over 1200m and an open sprint over 1000m, while Haybah is scheduled to resume in a 1000m race for three-year-old fillies.
Baster said he didn’t rush his comeback and wanted to ensure he was fit and ready for his race return.
Baster has ridden Tawteen in nine of her 11 starts including all five wins.
Four of those have come at Moonee Valley while her only other start at the track was a third in the Group Three Champagne Stakes last September.
“I think Moonee Valley does suit her but I think she’s very honest and always thereabouts no matter where she races,” Baster said.
“In her last start though in Sydney (in March in the Sebring Stakes) she missed the kick, which is unusual for her, and that put her on the back foot.”
Haybah was a surprise package last preparation when she finished second in the Blue Diamond fillies Preview and the Group Three Chairman’s Stakes before winning the Listed Cinderella Stakes in Adelaide.
Baster rode the filly when she finished 14th in the Golden Slipper at her final start as a juvenile.
