Emergency colic surgery ended Hot Snitzel’s spring campaign before it began and caused some anxious moments for his connections.

But the six-year-old has bounced back to full fitness ahead of his Randwick return with trainer Gerald Ryan happy to get him back to the races.

The multiple stakes winner is the second favourite for Saturday’s Group Three Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) behind Driefontein.

Ryan believes Hot Snitzel, the winner of seven races and almost $900,000 prize money, has plenty left to give.

“We had him back in work getting ready for the spring and he suddenly got sick and had to have an operation,” Ryan said.

“We just had to give him time after the colic surgery and I’m really happy with him. He has a good record first-up and this looks a nice race for him to kick off in.

“He is a horse that is just below Group One level. We have tried him and he is a length off them so we will pick our races with him.”

Ryan will miss the Randwick meeting, opting to go to Caulfield where another stable favourite, Red Excitement, is the favourite for the Group Three Carlyon Cup (1600m).

The trainer also has Black Opal Stakes winner Lucky Raquie at Caulfield where she runs in the Kevin Hayes Stakes.

He opted for the Melbourne race over the Light Fingers Stakes in Sydney, concerned Randwick could be rain-affected.

“She was one of the horses that got the virus that was going around in the spring but she seems to have recovered well,” Ryan said.

“I think she is a filly who can be effective over longer distances but her whole campaign depends on the weather.”

Stablemate Peggy Jean is one of four Group One winners in the Light Fingers (1200m).

Flight Stakes winner First Seal heads the TAB’s market ahead of Mossfun at $4.40.

Mossfun was another to succumb to the spring virus and will be having her first start since she won the Golden Slipper last April.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au