Comeback sprinter Menari has safely negotiated a midweek cameo in preparation for a return to racing.
Menari stretched his legs in a solo exhibition gallop at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Ridden by James Innes Jnr, Menari was given an easy time in covering the 800m in 49.58 seconds.
The last 600m of the workout was posted in 35.66 seconds.
Menari’s appearance was his first public outing in more than 18 months and Innes said the gallop went to plan.
“I reckon he’s come back as good as we could have expected and hoped,” he said.
“We brought him here today to get him out of the stable environment on a raceday and he was terrific. He floated around.”
The four-year-old has not raced since the 2017 Golden Rose in which he finished third behind stablemate Trapeze Artist and Champagne Cuddles.
He was one the leading contenders for last year’s Everest but injured a suspensory and was sent to stud before the race.
But his stud career has been put on hold after he managed to get only 20 of 70 mares in foal in his first season.
The winner of three races from eight starts, Menari has been back in work with trainer Gerald Ryan as he builds towards a racing campaign.
Ryan expects to have Menari at the races in another three weeks.
He is eyeing the At Sea Handicap over 1100m at Randwick for Menari’s return.
