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Multiple stakes-winner Whitefriars will take another step towards a return to racing when he trials at Warwick Farm on Thursday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Rick Worthington-trained galloper has not raced since January 2011 when winning the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley however signs are looking promising he'll resume around the new year.
“He's working well and he looks well,” trainer Rick Worthington said.
Whitefriars made his first public appearance since winning the Australia Stakes at the Warwick Farm trials on November 13 where the Arena gelding took out an 800m Open heat.
The seven-year-old will contest a similar trial on Thursday against some handy types such as Monton and Gasquet.
“We haven't done a lot with him since his last trial which you would expect but he will trial again on Thursday,” Worthington told Sky Sports Radio.
After such a lengthy absence, Whitefriars will likely be given a third trial this preparation before connections look for a first up assignment.
Options include the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm on December 22 and the Listed Carrington Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on New Years Day.
An encouraging first up effort could result in a trip to Melbourne early in the new year.
It will be a case of patience paying off for connections if Whitefriars returns successfully who battled a life threatening bout of pneumonia and subsequent complications in the 12 months following his Australia Stakes victory.