Lightly raced prospect Federer is nearing a return to the track following an encouraging showing in a Sydney barrier trial.
The Dundeel colt, out of champion mare Jameka, hasn’t been seen in action since September but has stepped out twice this month in barrier trials, most recently finishing second over 1208 metres at Warwick Farm on Monday on a Heavy surface.
Ciaron Maher’s NSW assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord confirmed a potential comeback could be on the cards as early as June 7 at Randwick.
“It was very good,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“He’s been based at the beach, early in the prep, just giving him a good base (of fitness) there, so he had the one trial, a quiet trial at Newcastle on a testing track that day (on May 7).
“Today was his second trial and we just wanted him to do a bit more.
“He jumped, travelled, if anything was a bit casual, which is not a bad thing and then he just kept responding and was strong through the line and past the line.
“Jason (Collett) was very positive in his feedback. He said he probably didn’t love the track, it’s very testing, but that was a lovely second trial, so on the back of that he’s ready to go.”
Gerard-Dubord noted a 1400-metre Benchmark 78 event at Randwick on Saturday week could serve as Federer’s return, with a mid-week race also under consideration if not.
