Ain’Tnodeeldun has made a long-awaited return to the winner’s enclosure with a come from behind victory at Moonee Valley.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper looked one of the up-and-coming three-year-old during the early part of season 2020-21 but suffered a pelvic injury that kept sidelined for 16 months.
After four runs duringhis current campaign, his second back from injury, Ain’tnodeeldun registered his fourth career win, from 16 starts, taking out the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Handicap (2040m) on Saturday.
Sent out the $4 favourite under Mark Zahra, Ain’tnodeeldun scored by a length from Arran Bay ($9) with Chandon Burj ($6.50) a half-head away third.
Steve Adams, the Flemington foreman for the Freedman father-and-son training operation, said all the owners of Ain’tnodeeldun showed an abundance of patience while the gelding went through his rehabilitation.
Ain’tnodeeldun had scored in Listed grade over 1800m during the 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival before suffering the pelvic injury.
“We didn’t run him in the Victoria Derby because we wanted to look after him,” Adams said.
“We were thinking of the Group 1s in Sydney, the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas with him, but then he had that mishap in the box.
“He had to spend a year in the box and then had to undergo a massive rehab.
“Just for the horse to be alive and now winning, it’s just unbelievable.”
Adams said it was unlikely the bar would be raised too high, too soon, although the stable would like to see Ain’tnodundeel back in better grade at some stage.
“We’ll just keep raising the bar as his rating is going to go up again today,” Adams said.
“I think there’s a benchmark 84 over 2000 metres at Flemington on February 18 that should suit, so we can give him an easy week, get him back to the beach and I would say that will be his target.”
