After two spells in the last 12 months, Gayna Williams' Healing Hands looks to be back in form ahead of Friday's meeting at Bathurst's Tyers Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The five-year-old bay gelding ran first in his debut for Williams' stable, and since then has racked up three more wins in just the seven starts - two at Dubbo, one at Mussewellbrook and finally at Wellington on December 9.
That pointed towards a strong crack at the Country Championships Qualifier at Mudgee last year but Williams opted to tip Healing Hands out for a spell.
He spent 20 weeks in the paddock and seemed primed to return with a vengeance.
A win in a trial at Muswellbrook pointed to a strong preparation but after a disappointing ninth when running as favourite in a Highway Handicap at Randwick, Williams noticed her gelding was bleeding from both nostrils.
The Mudgee trainer reported that to Racing NSW stewards, which forced him into a mandatory three-month spell.
READ ALSO:
He returned in November and ran fifth in a trial at Narromine before a strong trial win at Wellington two weeks later.
With those runs under his belt Healing Hands will line up in the Bathurst RSL Club Benchmark 66 Handicap (1200m) on Friday.
Champion jockey Greg Ryan takes the ride and will go from gate six in what shapes as the best race of the day.
He's one of two hopes for Williams in the event, with Mitchell Bell to pilot Bad Boy For Love from gate three.
The Dean Mirfin-trained Skipper Joe and Alex van den Bos' Beau Hoffa will look to challenge for favouritism.
The Paul Theobald-trained Red Marauder may be an outsider for the event but the hometown trainer is just pleased to have him on the track after effects caused by the recent smoky conditions in the region.
"He's ready to go and he's been working enormously the past couple of weeks, but just before Christmas, he really felt it [the smoky conditions]," Theobald said.
"He had airway problems. It's like someone running with a sore throat and he couldn't take in deep breath. He was holding his breath in the race he ran last."
Theobald said Red Marauder has recovered and that he's ready to go for Friday's meeting.
"I'm hoping he's got over his problem with his airways. I've had him vet-checked and they've given him the thumbs up," he said.
Racing starts 1.20pm.
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our newsletters here:
Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
