The preparation of Bon Rocket is again back on track as the gelding prepares for a reappearance at Flemington.
The Wendy Kelly-trained Bon Rocket has been sidelined with a minor injury which prompted his late scratching from a Flemington race on June 25.
A son of Bon Hoffa who gave Kelly a Group One win in the 2007 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Bon Rocket will contest Saturday’s Bruce Gadsden Handicap over 1200m.
“He injured his shin on the fence the day he was a late scratching and had a nice gash across it,” Kelly said.
“It blew up and it’s taken him a month or so to get over that so that’s why I’ve brought him back to the 1200 again.”
Bon Rocket has been a model of consistency so far this preparation but will be lining up for his first start since early June.
On that occasion Bon Rocket finished third behind Magnus Lad over 1300m at Sandown on heavy ground.
Kelly said the gelding would gradually rise in distance again after two previous city wins over 1400m at Flemington and 1500m at Moonee Valley last year.
“He’s always better when he’s fresh for these 1200 metre races,” Kelly said.
“It’s when he gets into his prep that we’re able to step him up in distance.
“He’s been really good. He’s grown up and as he’s got older and he’s pretty much on his mark now.”
The rising six-year-old, to be ridden by Dwayne Dunn, is third favourite in first markets with Voodoo Lad the $1.70 favourite ahead of Rich Jack at $6.50.
