A horse considered one of the brightest talents in Godolphin’s Australian team is slowly building towards a comeback from injury.
Group One winner Complacent has not raced since his second in the 2013 Victoria Derby having been ruled out of racing this year with a tendon strain.
Complacent is back under saddle at Godolphin’s private training complex outside of Sydney as he continues his rehabilitation.
“The injury prevented him from running in the autumn and spring but he’s had a really long and gradual, controlled rehabilitation program,” Godolphin’s racing manager Jason Walsh said.
“We’re happy with him. He’s back under saddle and we’re hoping to progress through to the races this preparation.
“Hopefully he’s up and going in the early part of next year and hopefully some of the autumn features during The Championships might be on the radar for him.
“We’re crossing all our fingers and toes to get him back because he’s a really talented stayer and a high quality horse – one of the leading lights of our team if he can stay sound.”
When Complacent suffered the injury, Darley’s then head trainer Peter Snowden lamented the misfortune for the horse he labelled the best staying prospect he had trained.
Walsh agrees.
“I think in my five years here he’s probably the most talented staying prospect we’ve had,” he said.
Complacent burst onto the scene last year with wins in the Gloaming Stakes and Group One Spring Champion Stakes in consecutive starts after breaking his maiden in a race at Hawkesbury.
He then finished second to Polanski in the Victoria Derby at his sixth start.
Work on a water walker has formed part of his treatment.
“We’re happy enough with where he’s at at the moment and we’ll start to click him up a bit through December,” Walsh said.
“Hopefully he’s up to race pace in January and off to a racecourse in February. That would be a fantastic result for the team.”
