The career of The Cynic has turned full circle with the gelding now back at his original home.
The rising seven-year-old is entered to make his Australian debut in the Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday but trainer Patrick Payne has yet to confirm he will run.
The Cynic, who raced in Hong Kong as Bundle Of Joy, has returned to Payne’s Victorian stable on the recommendation of his former trainer David Hall.
After winning two trials for Payne at Wangaratta and Cranbourne in 2012, The Cynic was sold to Hong Kong where he went on to record six victories from 23 starts.
“He did really well over there but they were thinking about retiring him and David Hall recommended sending him back to my place,” Payne said.
“He said there’s still a bit of life in him but he needs a bit of juice in the ground as the tracks are a little bit firm for him in Hong Kong, both for training and racing.”
The Cynic returned home after finishing ninth to former Australian Not Listenin’tome at Sha Tin in January and has had the benefit of a trial at St Arnaud last month.
He finished third behind black-type winner Thermal Current who is also entered for the Monash.
“He’s a very plain track-worker which David Hall said he was in Hong Kong,” Payne said.
“He trialled reasonably well against fit horses but again has worked plainly since but he’s a lovely type of horse and very good to deal with.”
Payne said he would accept for the Group Three race with The Cynic and study the field before making a final decision on whether he lined up or waited another week for a race in Adelaide.
“I’ll accept with him and have a look at it but I’ll probably wait for the following Saturday,” Payne said.
“There might be an easier option in Adelaide but I’m just waiting to see what sort of weight he might get over there.”
