Stablemates Hume and Za Magic will continue their remarkable comebacks from injury when they clash at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The pair spent a combined total of 183 weeks on the sidelines but their trainer Brian Smith is hoping they can start to make up for lost time.
Both geldings will tackle the Bank Of Queensland New Farm Two Metro Wins Last Year Hcp (1500m), and both go into the race third-up.
Two years ago Hume showed enormous promise as a stayer, finishing second in the 2009 Lexus Stakes to Shocking who backed up three days later and won the Melbourne Cup.
Hume narrowly failed to make that year’s Cup field, instead going to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2500m) and finishing fifth to Sterling Prince before suffering a tendon injury.
“It wasn’t really serious but we do have to take him day-by-day,” Smith said.
Hume spent 19 months recuperating and despite the lengthy break he resumed with an eye-catching ninth to Varenna Miss in the Group Two QTC Cup (1300m) last month when he powered to the line late.
Stepping up to 1600m last start he was down the track in the Listed Tattersall’s Racing Club Mile won by Frozone.
“The mile second-up was a hard task and he’s down in grade this week,” Smith said.
“I think he’s ready to do what he’s got to do in this grade, I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t run well.”
The career of Za Magic was also on the rise when he was cut down by injury.
Then trained by Maryann Thexton, Za Magic won the Group Three Doomben Classic (1615m) and Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) during the 2009 Brisbane carnival.
But he spent most of the next two years on the sidelines before resuming for Smith last month.
Za Magic has finished down the track in both runs and Smith believes he may need further than the 1500m of Saturday’s assignment.
“He had a bad injury before I got him to train,” Smith said.
“He’s been progressing well, there is nothing wrong with him but he seems to be a bit dour and I think he might need a bit further still.”
Ric McMahon rides Za Magic from gate two while apprentice Ashley Butler will partner Hume who has also drawn well in four.
AAP TURF
