Talented three-year-old Testarhythm returned from a nine-month absence in the best way possible with a strong victory at Rosehill on Saturday.
Niggling injuries had kept Testarhythm from racing since September but trainer Darren Smith had the gelding ready to run a big race first-up in the Latch-on Education Program Handicap (1200m).
Testarhythm returned from a nine-month absence in the best way possible with a strong victory at Rosehill on Saturday - Photo by Steve Hart
Testarhythm ($5.50) worked to the front from the outside barrier and kicked strongly in the straight on the heavy track to defeat Miss Marx ($4.20 fav) by 1-1/2-lengths with another three-quarters of a length to Beltane ($5) in third.
“He’s always shown us above average ability but he’s had little problems,” Smith said.
The son of Testa Rossa showed promise last year, winning first-up from a spell on a heavy track at Canterbury before finishing third to Squamosa and Masquerader in the Group Three Run To The Rose (1300m).
He was spelled after beating just one runner home in the Ming Dynasty Quality in September and then a foot problem early this year forced him back to the paddock.
“He had little niggling problems and the decision was made that it was best to pull the pin and hopefully come back and try to win a few BOBS races before he turns four,” Smith said.
“We’ve always had a big wrap on him and always thought he could measure up to at least Listed quality. I’ll just go home now, look at the program and see where we end up.”
Testarhythm was ridden by in-form Tim Clark who combined with the Smith-trained Atomic Force to win the Group One Galaxy in April.
Smith said Atomic Force was back at his Newcastle stable, but for the climate rather than conditioning.
The five-year-old came back in almost two weeks ago because of the heavy recent rain and cold weather in NSW.
“The reason we brought him back in was the wet weather,” Smith said.
“We thought he would do better in a warm box rather than in the paddock.
“We’re not doing much with him, he’s just poking around.”
Smith said he would meet with Atomic Force’s owners in the coming weeks to work out a program for the spring.
AAP TURF
