Dual stakes winner Hollowlea will make a long-awaited return to racing at Flemington after recovering from knee surgery.
Trainer Terry O’Sullivan said the talented four-year-old’s rehabilitation had taken longer than expected but after nine months off the scene he was “ready to go” in Saturday’s 1200-metre sprint.
Connections were excited about Hollowlea’s prospects this year but he failed to fire in four autumn starts after winning the Listed Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and Group Two Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley the previous spring.
His poor performances, which included being tailed off and beaten 27-1/2 lengths last start in the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington, were explained when scans revealed bone chips in both knees.
“He wasn’t lame but when we got him checked out they found the bone chips,” O’Sullivan said.
“He had the surgery and a lengthy spell but it has taken a little bit longer than we initially thought to get him back.”
Hollowlea has won four of his 14 starts and more than $250,000 in prizemoney.
Notably he finished third to Rekindled Interest, who was placed in this year’s Cox Plate, and the ill-fated Victoria Derby winner Lion Tamer in the Group Two AAMI Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October last year.
On Saturday Hollowlea is among the top weights with 58.5kg.
Only Mr Griswold and Diplomatic Force, both with 59kg, have more weight than him in the sprint which has attracted 17 nominations.
“He’s a good galloper and he’s certainly ready to go now,” O’Sullivan said.
“His work has been good, I’m really happy with him, the vet’s happy with him but Saturday will tell the tale.
“He’s forward enough to run a decent race without blowing them away necessarily.
“There’s a couple of pretty handy horses entered and if he finished amongst them we’d happy.”
O’Sullivan said a prominent showing would earn Hollowlea a crack at Flemington’s Group Three Standish Handicap (1200m) on January 2 ahead of the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) on January 14.
AAP TURF
