After more than a year off the scene, multiple stakes-placed Zebulon is ready for his race return.
The Peter Morgan and Craig Widdison-trained four-year-old is an acceptor in the 1400m open handicap at Caulfield on Saturday and the Listed Holdfast Insurance City Of Adelaide Handicap over the same distance at Morphettville.
Widdison said Caulfield was the preference but a final decision had not been made.
Zebulon hasn’t started since his second in the Group Two Autumn Stakes at Caulfield in February last year.
“He had a small hole in his off-fore tendon after his last run,” Widdison said.
“It wasn’t a big concern but we thought we’d give him the full rest with it.
“We brought him back in and had him back up to just about fast work. We weren’t suspicious of the tendon but we checked it again and it just wasn’t quite right. It looked like the hole was appearing again.
“So we stopped again and this time we’ve checked it a few times along the way and all has been good.”
Zebulon won a barrier trial at Cranbourne on April 11.
“The ability is definitely there. Hopefully race day he’s still got it,” Widdison said.
Zebulon has won one of seven starts and been placed three times at stakes level.
He finished at the tail of the field in the 2014 Bill Stutt Stakes and Caulfield Guineas before being gelded.
“I don’t think we’ve really got to the bottom of him so far in his career, and it might never happen now that he’s had that little issue. But at home we can’t fault him and he’s given the feel like he’s every bit back to his best,” Widdison said.
Zebulon has barrier one in the field of 14 at Caulfield while he has barrier 11 in Adelaide.
