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Unsighted since the last of his unbeaten run of three wins last August, promising US-bred gelding Flash Gift is making his much-awaited comeback a “stronger and more mature” individual this Friday.

After a slashing debut win as a three-year-old in an Initiation race over 1100m on Polytrack on June 3, 2012, the son of Lawyer Ron strung up two more wins, both on the All-Weather as well. While he was made to dig deep to prevail as the $6 favourite in a 1000m race four weeks later, he was back scoring a commanding win at his third start in a 1200m race about a month later.

But the one common trait to his wins is how he never buckled despite having to cover extra ground from his wide trips at all three starts.

Trainer John O’Hara, who is known for not pushing his young horses, gave the Saratoga Stable-owned galloper a break after his last win, while better-known stablemate Emerald Hill kept flying the O’Hara-Saratoga flag high (five-in-a-row until his first defeat in February) before his sad demise when he broke down in the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) last May.

Still reeling from the inestimable loss of such a talented sprinter, O’Hara and Saratoga Stable are hoping Flash Gift can follow into his hoofsteps.

“Emerald Hill was such a good horse and still had so much to show on the track, but unfortunately he broke down and had to be put down. That’s racing,” said O’Hara of the bold chestnut, who was also a US-bred, but by Sharp Humor.

“I’m not saying Flash Gift can replace Emerald Hill as he’s still got some way to go before he reaches that kind of level. But if he can get back to his best after such a long spell, at least he can give us something to cheer.”

O’Hara explained he backed Flash Gift off, not because there was anything amiss with him, but he just felt it was time for a well-earned rest.

“He’s done a terrific job winning three from three and he just needed a break,” said O’Hara.

“There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s come back good and I hope he can carry on with the same form he showed at his first prep.

“(Jockey) Greg (Cheyne) told me he was happy with him. He missed one barrier trial because of the haze, but had another one two weeks ago and won.

“The haze didn’t put back his work at all. He’s had enough work and though the break has been longer than expected, he is ready for his comeback.”

O’Hara admitted to not having seen the handicaps of the $75,000 Class 3 race over 1100m Flash Gift is entered in, but is just keen to get the mileage back in his feet.

“I haven’t seen the other entries. It’s probably a touch stronger,” he said of the list of nominations which include the likes of Soul Commander, One Smart Cat and Royal Tudor.

“I just want him to go through that well and see where he goes from there.”

Cheyne shared the same opinion that Flash Gift might need the run on Friday, but he has at the same time matured as a racehorse.

“He’s worked well and ran two nice trials, but I wouldn’t say he is 100% fit. There’s still a little bit of work to be done with him,” said the South African jockey who has partnered him to all three wins.

“He’s a very nice genuine Class 3 horse with a lot of natural ability. He has really furnished into a much stronger horse after his long break, he’s twice the horse he was physically.

“Mentally, he’s much better as well as he was a bit hot-headed before, though I think he also has a light mouth and can react slightly.

“He still does a few things wrong, though, as he did get to the outside at the turns in his barrier trials, which is something he also did at one of his early races.”

Cheyne was grateful to connections for having stuck solid with him despite the gelding’s long break.

“I’m glad John and the owners have kept me on him. With his unblemished record, he’s obviously one of the nicer horses I’ve ridden here,” said Cheyne.

“To win three from three is fantastic, but I think it won’t be long before he realises his true potential.”

Cheyne, who has requested for only a three-month renewal of his jockey’s licence at Kranji, recently returned from a working holiday in South Africa.

“It was my first trip back home in two years,” said Cheyne who finished unplaced aboard Love Struck in the Vodacom Durban July, which he won in 2009 with Big City Life.

“I spent three days in Durban, and on the way back managed to see my mum for a few hours at Johannesburg. Though I didn’t win the July or any of the supporting races on that day, it was just good to be back.”