Fledgling trainer Jarrod Austin wasn’t sure the day would ever come when he would have the chance to take stable favourite Keen Commander back to the races.
But his wait is almost over with Keen Commander to make his return from injury in the Hylands Kids Colours For Christmas Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury on Saturday.
For seven years Austin worked as stable foreman to Denise McGrath and Keen Commander was the flagship horse for much of that time.
Austin knows just about all there is to know about the Group One-placed sprinter and earlier this year, he took over the training of McGrath’s team when she decided to take a step back to concentrate on another project.
He has made a good start with five wins from 12 runners and can’t wait to saddle up eight-year-old Keen Commander on Saturday.
“It’s been a long road and there have been a few anxious and nervous moments to see if we could get him back,” Austin said.
“He had an operation on a fetlock joint. He had to have a bone chip removed out of the joint.
“We were not real sure whether we were going to get him back to the races but everything has gone well so far.”
The winner of eight of his 34 starts and close to $650,000 prizemoney, Keen Commander hasn’t started since The Galaxy (1100m) in April when he finished ninth.
Three years earlier he was narrowly beaten in the same Group One contest.
Keen Commander won the Magic Millions Sprint (1000m) at the Gold Coast in 2009 and Austin plans to take the gelding back there in January via the Carrington Stakes at Warwick Farm.
Austin has seen the right signs to suggest Keen Commander is ready to run a big race on Saturday despite the strength of the opposition which includes Atomic Force, News Alert and Latin News.
“He’s been a great horse for the stable and he knows he’s the boss around here,” Austin said.
“He’s a bit of a show-off and you tend to know when he’s right. The more arrogant and playful he becomes the closer you know you are to having him back to his best.
“It’s been a long road, but I’m pretty happy with him.”
Apprentice Shaun Guymer combined with Austin for their first city wins with Yonderstar at the end of July.
He has two wins from three rides in town for Austin and partners Keen Commander for the first time.
“We’ve had a bit of luck so far and hopefully that continues,” Austin said.
AAP TURF
