The past eight months have been tough for Vassilator and his trainer Lisa Jones.
A Caulfield Guineas runner-up for co-owner and former trainer Colin Little, Vassilator has overcome an ulcer to an eye and a severe case of tying-up that had his new trainer concerned for the horse’s welfare.
After a break and showing positive signs on the track, Vassilator is ready to make his return to racing in the David Bourke Memorial Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.
Jones has been involved with preparing Vassilator since his preparation from late 2020 through until May 2021 when Little would send the gelding to her property at Sommerville for some paddock time and beach training.
Vassilator would then return to Little’s Caulfield yard to finalise his preparation, but when training ceased at Caulfield, and Little eventually decided to retire from training after a move to Pakenham, Jones was asked to take over the training of the gelding.
After sound first-up run at Flemington with a big weight, things started to turn sour for Vassilator following his next run at Bendigo in April.
“Ethan Brown was quite negative about him that day and suggested blinkers, or retirement,” Jones said.
“But the following day he had the most terrible ulcer in an eye, so I felt that was enough of an excuse for him not to run on in that race.
“We gave him the benefit of the doubt and we were getting ready for our next start and again he had been working well, but he suffered badly from tying-up, which Colin told me he had suffered badly from at Caulfield.
“Training from the paddock and going to the beach, it had not happened with me, but this tying-up was severe and the worst my vet had seen.
“His blood picture was terrible. His urine was black, and the vets feared for his life.
“He was put on a drip for three days and then there was no option but to give him a spell.”
That was around Easter and during his time convalescin, Jones gave Vassilator minimal grain to let his body recover.
Vassilator has had two Cranbourne jump-outs to prepare for Saturday’s return, his most recent last Monday when given an easy time.
Drawn out in 13, Jones expects Vassilator to be ridden quietly on Saturday and allowed to run home, with a view to competing at Flemington over 1400m on December 17.
“So long as he’s hitting the line, we’ll be happy,” she said.
