Protectionist close to race return
The forgiving nature of European training tracks has the 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist on the verge of a comeback to racing.
Protectionist hasn’t been seen since finishing down the course in last year’s Caulfield Cup, but he is coming to hand for a northern hemisphere summer campaign under German trainer Andreas Wohler.
Wohler trained Protectionist to one of the most emphatic Melbourne Cup wins of the modern era but the Australian Bloodstock-owned stayer was kept in Australia and joined the Kris Lees stable.
In eight starts for Lees, Protectionist struggled to get anywhere near his Melbourne Cup form.
A veterinary examination revealed the entire had suffered deep-seated soreness in his bones as a result of being trained on surfaces that were too firm for his liking.
Protectionist returned to Europe late last year and rejoined Wohler’s string.
“There is no sign of all the issues he had over here which we expected,” Australian Bloodstock’s Luke Murrell said.
“Those softer tracks they have in Europe have been the key.”
Murrell said there was a chance Protectionist might be racing at the end of next month to start a campaign that could end in another Melbourne Cup bid.
“The last two weeks he’s up to doing three-quarter (pace work),” he said.
“Royal Ascot is a possibility. It just depends how he comes up fitness-wise and how he’s going.”
“There’s no definite race to kick off but we’ll probably see him at the end of May or June all going well.”
News of Protectionist’s progress has given his syndicators a much-needed lift during the week after losing European Group One placegetter Magic Artist.
Magic Artist had to be euthanised after suffering a fractured pelvis and hip.
The import was rated an unlucky runner when fourth in the Mackinnon Stakes at the first of his three Australian starts.