Thursday, 21 September 2017: In-form trainer Ricardo Le Grange remains prudent as useful sprinter Rafaello makes his racing comeback this Friday.

Rafaello

The Oratorio five-year-old has not been sighted since his gallant third to Lim’s Cruiser in the Group 3 Rocket Man Sprint on March 26.

The reason for the long time on the sidelines for last year’s Group 3 Garden City Trophy (1200m) winner was one of the commonest causes of interruption in racehorses, but serious enough to warrant a six-month layoff – chips.

As the condition necessitated surgery, Le Grange has given the Fred Crabbia-owned gelding all the time in the world to come back to full fitness.

Two barrier trials have certainly gone a long way in sharpening him up, but Le Grange prefers to exercise caution ahead of his return in Friday’s $125,000 Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m.

Rafaello will be ridden by the jockey who knows him best, Nooresh Juglall. The Mauritian jockey has partnered him at all his seven wins, all recorded over six furlongs.

“Rafaello  had chips taken out from his left fore fetlock. That’s why he’s been away for so long,” said Le Grange who has flown off the blocks at his rookie season, currently sitting in second spot on 48 winners, 26 behind tearaway leader Mark Walker.

“He’s had two barrier trials and he went good in both. They went quick in the second one and he did a good job to run second (to Raise No Doubt).

“As he had surgery, I didn’t want to push him too hard, just let him come into his own. I would say he may be in need of a run, but I think he should still run well first-up.”

Le Grange said he had not pencilled in any big race for Rafaello down the road, but hoped to have a better idea after Friday’s race.

“We have not made any plans for him. He had surgery, and I prefer to see how he comes through this run and we’ll see,” he said.

“But he’s always been one of the better horses in our stable and I hope he can pick up where he left off.”