Trainer Robert Price is renowned for his ability to rehabilitate and manage horses with problems and Saturday’s Randwick hopeful One Way Ticket certainly falls into that category.
The eight-year-old has overcome two major injuries and it is testament to Price, who has a beachside set-up on the NSW south coast, that the gelding is still racing.
“He had a life-threatening tendon injury but we brought him back from that,” Price said.
“Then he had a career-ending suspensory injury.
“The vets said he wouldn’t race again but we brought him back and while he’s a day-by-day proposition he is sound at the moment.
“If he didn’t have the touch of ability he’s got then I probably would have retired him but he does a lot of swimming and beach work, all the therapeautic things we’ve got here.”
One Way Ticket has not won for more than three years, although in fairness he suffered his major injuries during that period.
His most recent victory was in October 2008 over 1400 metres at Randwick – as is his assignment on Saturday in the Future Music Festival Handicap.
The gelding was given a let-up after finishing runner-up to Othello over 1600 metres in August before returning with a midfield effort to Somepin Anypin in a leader-dominated affair at Rosehill when he lost a shoe in the run.
Apprentice Chad Schofield, fresh from a treble at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day, takes the ride while fellow junior rider Sam Clipperton will be aboard stablemate Purring Flyer in the Fitzpatrick & Partners Handicap (1200m).
The lightly-raced mare strung together consecutive wins at Nowra last campaign and was spelled after finishing three-quarters of a length second to the smart Brightest at Kembla Grange in May.
She resumed with a sound second at Nowra on October 23 and will have her first test in city company on Saturday.
“She flew the gates first-up and went forward which is not really her go but you’re reluctant to drag them back when they jump well,” Price said.
“It was an even run but I think she’s up to city class.”
Purring Flyer is nicely bred being a daughter of Golden Slipper winner Catbird and a half-sister to Listed winner Nediyms Dream.
Price also has Tonk in the final event but he is a doubtful starter.
AAP TURF
