Flemington trainer Dean Lawson is taking it one race at a time with Mr Chard who resumes following an injury-enforced layoff of a year in Saturday’s $1 million Newmarket Handicap on his home track.
Lawson, who prepared six-time Group One winner Testa Rossa, has been very patient with with Mr Chard who had stem-cell surgery after breaking down when fourth to Shamrocker in last year’s Australian Guineas (1600m).
“He did a suspensory quite badly and it’s been a long 12 months trying to get him back on the track,” Lawson said.
“It’s been a long haul. It’s been one day at a time for 12 months.
“We’ve done everything you can to get him back. He’s been in and out of the paddock, he was on the water-walker at Peter Morgan’s for four or five weeks, we walked him for six weeks and he came in (to the stables) and we trotted him for six weeks.
“Basically one step at a time because it’s basically all over for him if he does it again.”
The Al Samer four-year-old entire has won three races, including two black-type events, and been placed three times for more than $385,000 in prizemoney from 13 starts.
“He’s really a miler (1600m) to 2000-metre horse down the track and has never been a first-up horse,” Lawson said .
“But going up the straight, not having to go around a bend, and being Flemington the surface will be good and it will basically look after the horse knowing that if he holds together there will be more for him later.”
The 2010 Group Three VRC Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) winner sported bandages on his front legs in an 800m jumpout in which he finished fourth to Foxwedge down the Flemington straight on Tuesday morning with race jockey Dean Holland aboard.
“I thought he’d get burnt off by the speedsters but having had such a long layoff he went along a bit fresh and he actually did a little bit more than I expected,” Lawson said.
“With the injury that he had he’s probably not a long-term prospect so we’ve got to make every post a winner.
“The owners and I will have a chat after Saturday and see which way we go with him.
“The jumpout was the first time he’s been off the bit and Saturday will be a big test for him but, if he gets through that well, the spring will be his main ambition.”
Mr Chard has drawn barrier four in a field of 23 and Lawson is not expecting him to threaten the likes of Hay List ($3.20 fav) who was scratched from last year’s Newmarket won by Black Caviar.
Hay List, who was to carry 56.5kg last year, is topweight with 58.5kg on Saturday and will jump from gate 15.
AAP TURF
