Talented sprinter Commanding Hope is back on track after his career was derailed for the second time this season by injury.Trainer Chris Hyland said the five-year-old had surgery on both front fetlocks last spring and was on the comeback trail when he knocked a tendon 10 weeks ago.The latest injury came only days after the gelding's eye-catching first-up second to Augusta Proud in the Group Three Irwin Stakes at Morphettville on March 8.The timing could not have been worse for Commanding Hope as
Talented sprinter Commanding Hope is back on track after his career was derailed for the second time this season by injury.
Trainer Chris Hyland said the five-year-old had surgery on both front fetlocks last spring and was on the comeback trail when he knocked a tendon 10 weeks ago.
The latest injury came only days after the gelding's eye-catching first-up second to Augusta Proud in the Group Three Irwin Stakes at Morphettville on March 8.
The timing could not have been worse for Commanding Hope as it stopped his campaign which was geared towards him improving on his close third to Takeover Target in last year's Group One Goodwood at Morphettville on May 2.
"He ran great first-up then he whacked his tendon and it has taken a bit of time to come good," Hyland said.
He said Commanding Hope would have a searching gallop at Cranbourne on Tuesday before resuming in Saturday's Undue Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield.
"The tendon seems to have settled down now so he will have a good gallop tomorrow morning and providing he comes through that okay he will be ready to go again," Hyland said.
He said a variety of problems had limited Commanding Hope to just 19 runs which had included four wins, seven seconds and a third for just under $250,000 in prizemoney.
"He has always been pretty consistent but had a few little issues along the way," Hyland said.
Ultimately, the plan is for Commanding Hope to train on this campaign and try to win his second Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in early August.
He won the feature sprint two years ago.
Hyland said he was hoping Brad Rawiller would stick with Commanding Hope after teaming with him in many of his races, including the 2009 Goodwood and in the Irwin last start.
Rawiller also rode him when he finished fourth to Raffaello at Caulfield in August last year but subsequently pulled up with heat in a joint.
Scans later revealed the need for a surgical clean up of both fetlocks, with bone chips found in one fetlock.
Commanding Hope is among 22 entries for Saturday's sprint and Hyland says the chance of a big field will suit his charge.
"At 1000m he needs a bit of tempo so he is not up racing too keenly," Hyland said.
"He is better off settling off the speed so he can then finish off and hit the line."
With a rating of 100, Commanding Hope will be the top weight when handicaps are released later this week.
Midnight Mustang (99), Grand Duels (95), Makeadreamcometrue (95), Philda (95), Sequallan (94) and Devil May Care (91) are other high-rated entries.