Lindsay Park trainersĀ Ben and J D Hayes had high hopes for European import Pas MalotruĀ before his Australian debut at Flemington.
But those hopes of a spring campaign were shattered when PasĀ MalotruĀ suffered a bleeding attack in that 1100m race in August.
After incurring an automatic three-month ban from racing, PasĀ MalotruĀ is ready for a racetrack return in the Raymond Martin Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
PasĀ MalotruĀ was trained by Marco Boti in the UK where he was a winner at Listed level while also placing third in Group 1 company at Deauville in France.
Purchased to race in Hong Kong, PasĀ MalotruĀ had one start for David Hayes in November 2020 before going amiss with a tendon injury and being sent to Lindsay Park to recuperate.
In his lead-up work and jump-outs prior to his Australian debut, PasĀ MalotruĀ showed the Lindsay Park trainers that he was a horse with obvious ability.
Ben Hayes saidĀ the stable was shocked that PasĀ MalotruĀ had performed ingloriously at his debut run for Lindsay Park.
“He’s a horse that we have aĀ really high opinion of,” Hayes said.
“His first run in Australia we were surprised that he ran so poorly, but he bled from both nostrils which he had never done before.
“He’s had his time off and we’ve built him up. I was very happy with his trial atĀ WerribeeĀ last week and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.
“You never know with a bleeder, but if he brings his best form, he’s more than capable of running a good race.”
Lindsay Park also has Sandy Prince engaged in Saturday’s race, but he is also an acceptor for the Victorian Jockey’s Association Sprint (1100m) at Flemington on Sunday.
The unbeaten Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained VermentinoĀ isĀ also engaged in both those races.
“We’ll probably runĀ Sandy PrinceĀ wherever Ciaron’sĀ doesn’tĀ runĀ his horse,” Hayes said.
