Trainer Raquel Williams could not have been more pleased with the trial of Coming Around at Lark Hill on Monday.
She says it proved the seven-year-old still possessed a zest and appetite for racing.
Coming Around ran second to Fiorucci Mama in a 950m heat and was strong late without being fully tested by jockey Shaun O’Donnell.
After four years away and stints with Grant and Alana Williams and Brett Stanley in Melbourne, Coming Around is back with Williams and where it all started.
She’s enthusiastic about his future.
“He hasn’t done much galloping and we pretty much wanted to see if he still wanted to be there, that was the biggest thing,” Williams told The Races WA.
“It was a test for him and he definitely answered the questions; Shaun (O’Donnell) was really happy with him.
“He was pretty much untouched and I’m pretty happy.”
Coming Around has won seven races from 30 starts and $414,090 in prizemoney.
Under Williams’ guidance he ran second to Mystery Miss in the 2019 Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m).
In two stints for Grant and Alana Williams he finished runner-up to Clairvoyance in the 2022 Pinjarra Classic (1300m).
When transferred to Brett Stanley in Melbourne, Coming Around won races at Ballarat and Flemington.
Williams says Coming Around, who has not raced since the Hannans Handicap (1400m) last September, will return for a winter campaign.
“I was looking at the Beaufine (1000m) but it’s a fair way away,” Williams said.
“We’ll look and see what’s there between now and then.
“Maybe give him another start, rather than trialling him.
“I hadn’t really looked past today (Monday) because I wanted to see if he still was up for it.”
The Listed Beaufine Stakes is run over 1000m at Belmont on July 8.
Meanwhile Williams thinks she may have landed a nice type after Diamond Sapphire took out heat 16, flashing home to grab Regal Statue on the line.
The three-year-old filly went without a win in three starts in New South Wales, but Williams said there was something to like and respect from her trial.
“One of my owners bought her on line in a sale for not very much.” Williams said.
“I watched her replays and she ran some fair races on real heavy racks over there.
“Shaun (O’Donnell) was really impressed with her.
“Like Coming Around, they will come through today (Monday) and really benefit.
“We’ll look and see if there is a mid-week maiden for her somewhere.”
