It has been over a year since she last raced, but Hellenism is back and looking to keep her perfect record intact on Saturday.
The five-year-old last raced at Randwick in May of last year, finishing third to Tejori in a Highway race.
The daughter of Helmet has not finished outside the placings in her seven-start career thus far, boasting almost $90,000 in prizemoney.
The mare has pulled up well since her trial at Taree, with her trainer Aiden St Vincent saying she’s ready to go on Saturday.
“She came through the trial nicely, she showed me that she was up to the mark and was going to be competitive,” he said.
“I actually haven’t had the opportunity to gallop her with another horse this whole time, just with the way the tracks have been and the weather. So that was the first time we’d seen opposition, so it was nice to see her competitive.
“She put her hand up to say to me that she’s ready to go back to the races.
“I don’t think I can have her anymore forward first-up after a long break.”
It’s been a long road back for Hellenism, after pulling up with some swelling behind her knees in preparation for a race start in 2020, she was initially diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition where fluid accumulates in the joint until it puts pressure on the main nerve within the joint.
After spelling and trying to bring her back to work, the Coffs Harbour-based St Vincent wasn’t happy with his mare who was still suffering and sent her to get re-evaluated.
“We just couldn’t get to the bottom of it. We sent her to Gatton University, and they stuck a camera in her knee and found that the canal where the fluid goes through her knee was blocked, so it was just causing irritation,” St Vincent said.
“If we had of found that straight away, we would’ve had her back at the races a long time ago.
“we got that little operation done and they just had to open the canal back up so the fluid could get around her knee.
“Now she’s full steam ahead ready to get back to the races.”
St Vincent is still young in terms of the training ranks, racing his first runner on Boxing Day in 2012 and having only 371 starts to his name.
Despite this, he strikes at a very credible 8% winning percentage throughout his career, as well as a 31% place ratio.
Hellenism can add to that tally on Saturday, and St Vincent still can’t believe his luck of training the five-year-old.
“I still pinch myself every day when I get to put a saddle on her. She’s the best horse I have trained so far,” he said.
“Not only that, but she’s a pleasure to have around the place too. I’ve formed a really good relationship with the horse myself actually.
“I’m so grateful I get to have a horse like that to do something with her nature, let alone her ability.”
