Lightly raced mare Seasons is likely to play only a cameo role over the late spring and summer as trainer Les Bridge looks to give her some match practice ahead of the autumn.
The winner of half of her six starts and runner-up in the other three, Seasons will race for the first time in almost a year in the Traffic Logistics Handicap (1000m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
The five-year-old’s career has been interrupted by two separate ailments over the past 12 months, firstly a virus and then a splint in one of her legs.
Both issues required rest rather than treatment and Bridge hopes Season’s extended break from racing proves a blessing in disguise.
“It won’t hurt her. She has done well and looks well,” Bridge said.
“The only thing on Saturday is not having raced for a long time, whether that’s going to come against her a bit, I don’t know.
“I’ve tried to keep her fresh for it. She has only had one 740 metre trial so I don’t think the distance is any problem.”
Bridge has a good opinion of Seasons and believes she can measure up to stakes level against her own gender.
As such, he plans to give her a light campaign to blow out the cobwebs before setting his sights on bigger goals.
“I’m only going to give her a couple of runs at the minute and then I might put her out and bring her back when some of the better races come on,” Bridge said.
“It’s not really a good time for her to come back in but that’s how it played out.”
Bridge also reported stable star Classique Legend was enjoying a break in the paddock and would have six to eight weeks off before returning for an autumn preparation.
Luckless in The Everest, Classique Legend finished down the track in the Golden Eagle won by Kolding.
“He’s out spelling. He had just had enough that last run but I saw him there a week or so ago and he’s doing well,” Bridge said.
“He will be a different horse when he comes in.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au