The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained mare, Charm Stone, returned to the track on Monday for the first time in nearly a year as she prepares for her comeback in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 5.
Charm Stone, a winner of the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m), Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m), and Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m), has only raced six times but hasn’t been seen since her fifth-place finish in last year’s Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) after dealing with bone chips.
The four-year-old finished seventh of seven in her 800-metre Cranbourne trial behind Star Patrol, but her connections were satisfied with her progress after months of rehabilitation.
“It’s been pretty long and slow work,” managing owner Sheamus Mills told Racing.com.
“Damian (Lane) said her action was brilliant and her breathing was great. Where she finished was probably inconsequential – Damian thought she was going to trial a bit fresh, so he throttled her down early to make sure she got into a good rhythm.”
Charm Stone is set for another trial in two weeks, with potential spring targets including the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) and Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m).
“That relies on her being good enough,” Mills added.
“At the end of the day, she’s a Group 3 winner, and Jnr (Kent) has always said she’s a Group 1 horse.”
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