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Boom Perth sprinter Smoko is close to making his awaited comeback after being sidelined by an injury since last November.
The rising six-year-old required shockwave therapy for a ligament tear in his off-fore leg suffered after he finished sixth in the G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes at Ascot on Melbourne Cup day.
Trainer Ross Price has Smoko entered for a barrier trial at Lark Hill on Monday and has him slated to resume in the Listed Belmont Newmarket on August 8, a race he won last year.Smoko is a lightly-raced rising six-year-old, having started only nine time to date for six wins.
Price said it too early to say if Smoko would contest the $1 million Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in November.“He might only have one run and then go out again,” Price said.
“He’s only a lightly raced horse. If he stays sound you will see more of him.”Another talented Perth sprinter Testamezzo will miss the Ascot spring carnival and another crack at the Winterbottom Stakes due to a tendon injury.
The winner of the Listed Raconteur Stakes and Magic Millions 3YO Trophy finished fourth to Magnifisio in the Winterbottom last November.Trainer Daniel Pearce’s hopes for “thw rising five-year-old this spring were dashed by the foreleg injury that will require a minimum three months spell.
“I will leave it for longer in the hope he can make a full recovery,” Pearce said. “He will go through his rehabilitation work and the hope is to have him back for the autumn.”Testamezzo has won seven races and has been placed four times in his 14 starts.
Meanwhile another rising Perth star Hazzabeel continued his rise through the grades when cruising to an easy win over 1600mn at Belmont on Saturday for his fifth win in six starts.The Zabeel 4YO, owned in the same interests as Doomben Cup winner Pornichet, will be set for the $1 million Railway Stakes at Ascot in December.