Mornington trainer Dean Binaisse is cautiously optimistic about injury-prone galloper Carnero making a fist of his return to the race track after a 2-1/2 year absence.
Carnero, who hasn’t raced since finishing 11th to Rebel Raider in the 2008 Victoria Derby (2500m), resumes after a frustratingly long layoff in Saturday’s Heather Herron Hcp (1100m).
Now a five-year-old, the talented horse has overcome numerous injuries.
“It’s been one conundrum after another,” Binaisse explained.
“He’s had injuries to both his inside and outside suspensory branch, fell over and tore the hamstring off the bone on a back leg.
“And he kicked the back of the walker and tore his chestnut leaving a three inch cut down the back of his hock.
“He finds the most unbelievable things to hurt himself on or have a setback.
Carnero won the Inglis Classic (1200m) at Caulfield and was narrowly beaten by Von Costa De Hero when runner-up in the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
As a spring three-year-old, he was third behind Whobegotyou and All American in the Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m).
He followed with a fifth in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and jarred up when fourth in the AAMI Vase (2040m), both won by Whobegotyou at Moonee Valley.
Connections knocked back a $1 million offer for the horse who cost $30,000 as a yearling and has so far earned $420,850 from 10 starts which have produced two wins and three placings.
Since his latest injury, Carnero has been back in work for six months and is ready to run after Mark Flaherty rode him into fourth place in an 800m barrier trial at Cranbourne on April 18.
“We used a sports scientist to design a program for him, similar to a footballer recovering from an achilles or a cruciate injury,” Binaisse said.
“It’s been pretty unusual but with this horse we were more than happy to put the time in with him and so far his legs look super.
“Mark Flaherty said his action felt superb for a five-year-old horse.
“I said I’d never race him under 1200 metres, but unfortunately with his rating we were a bit limited on options.
“I didn’t want to have to wait until Flemington a week later.”
Binaisse would like to pick out some races for Carnero in the spring but he said a lot hinged on how he performed on Saturday.
“He’s still a bull (stallion) but he’s shown he still loves his work and he was competitive in his trial the other day,” he said.
“It would be lovely to get him back for some of the bigger races in the spring.”
Stephen Baster takes the ride on Carnero who drew barrier 11 in the 15-horse field.
AAP TURF
