Classy mare Tuscan Queen is poised to take the next step in her comeback at Belmont on Saturday.
A fairy tale return moved closer for the four-year-old on the back of an impressive trial yesterday (Monday).
Tuscan Queen completed her 950m heat powerfully to run a close second behind Lipstick Flickers.
Tuscan Queen sustained a tendon injury after winning the WA Derby in 2020, the third leg of a feature hat trick after claiming the WA Oaks and Natasha Stakes.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock spent close to 15-months on the sidelines recuperating and there were genuine fears she would never race again.
Owner Bob Peters said it’s been a long road back for Tuscan Queen and although the early signs are encouraging, there are further tests to follow.
“It was good to see and she’s passed one test,” Peters said on Tabradio.
“She’ll have her next test possibly this Saturday.
“I don’t like racing so close together, but at this time of the year we have to find out whether she is going to stand up or not with that tendon.
“I’m pleased that she has got this far because it was a different sort of a tendon injury.
“It was a longitudinal one which I’ve never had before and it had to be operated on.
“We are not there yet and she needs to have another good gallop, depending on how she pulls up before a 1400m race on Saturday.
“If she gets through it she will go for a break after that.
“If she doesn’t get through it then she will be on a truck and be having a different lifestyle.”
Tuscan Queen has six wins from 10 starts and $580,750 in stake earnings.
Her injury setback also cost her going interstate for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cups.
Meanwhile Peters said Superstorm and Inspirational Girl are likely to race in Melbourne for the spring if suitable flight arrangements can be found.
