Weary moved one step closer to a return to racing with a solid performance in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm this morning.
Weary is on track to return to the races during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Steve Hart
Weary contested the second barrier trial of the morning over 740 metres and he jumped from the gates quickly, but he was quickly restrained and settled towards the tail of the field, while Return Journey took up the running from Adorabeel and I Can Rock.
The imported French galloper tracked into the race nicely and worked home well under a heavy hold to finish fifth behind I Can Rock before he made up a great deal of ground after the finishing post in an impressive effort.
Weary failed to fire during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, but he was able to return to a semblance of his best form during an autumn campaign in both Sydney and Brisbane.
The Astronomer Royal gelding started his preparation with a narrow victory over Driefontein in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on January 31 and he finished third in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on February 14, but he failed to fire in both the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 and the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.
Weary returned to racing with an improved effort in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 18 and he made the step-up to 2000 metres to finish second behind Pornichet in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 9.
Trainer Chris Waller is yet to reveal the path that Weary will follow during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival, but the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24 could be on the agenda for the rising six-year-old after he showed he was capable of running out a strong 2000 metres.
Gary Portelli-trained I Can Rock finished over the top of his rivals to take out the barrier trial and looks set to return to the races for the first time since he finished a disappointing fourth in the Radio Goulburn Handicap (1400m) on February 24, while Con Karakatsanis-trained Stromaise and Aspiration Quality winner Adorabeel also caught the eye of onlookers.
The Metropolitan winner Opinion was settled towards the tail of the field in the early stages of the barrier and was kept under a heavy hold throughout, but he was still able to find the line fairly.
