Group Two-winning colt Time To Reign is set to return to racing at Rosehill for just the second start of his three-year-old season.
Trainer Gary Portelli, who prepared the colt’s older half-sister She Will Reign to win two Group Ones including the 2017 Golden Slipper, has Time To Reign ready to race in Saturday’s 1100m Benchmark-94 handicap.
The three-year-old missed last spring and his only start this year was a fourth placing in the Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington in January.
“It’s been a long time getting him back to where we want him and I think he’s 110 per cent ready to go this weekend after two trials,” Portelli said.
“He had a good workout this morning and we’ve got him as good as you can get him going into his first run back from a spell.
“I’m looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully he runs well.”
Glen Boss has been booked to ride Time To Reign on Saturday.
Boss jumped aboard Time To Reign in a trackwork gallop over 800m on Tuesday.
“He was very happy and said that’s how a good horse should work, so hopefully he can put it together on the weekend,” Portelli said.
While Portelli is pleased with Time To Reign’s build-up he said race fitness and rustiness, having not started since January, could be the question marks.
Time To Reign won three of his six starts as a juvenile, including the Group Two Silver Slipper, and finished fifth in the Golden Slipper.
Time To Reign was restricted to just one start this season after falling ill.
“He got crook and he’s just been a never-ending story but the main thing is he’s back 100 per cent now,” Portelli said.
Time To Reign was unplaced in a Canterbury trial last month after missing the start, before winning a Warwick Farm trial last week.
“His first trial was a bit of a disaster,” Portelli said.
“He was a bit fresh and missed the start then his next trial was much better on the Polytrack (at Warwick Farm). I put the visor on him to keep him a bit more focused.
“He’s been very good.”
Time To Reign is one of 13 nominations for Saturday’s race, which could be his only start for the campaign with spring being the focus.
He has 59.5kg with last-start The Valley winner Ashlor heading the weights with 62kg.