Consistent pacer In The Queue has recovered from quarter cracks that plagued his preparation earlier this year and returns to the racetrack this Saturday night in the Cleanaway Pace (2230m).
"He had really bad (quarter) cracks on both his front feet and had nearly eight weeks off to try and let them grow out," driver David Harding said.
The eight-year-old Bookmaker gelding trialled nicely last Sunday at Globe Derby when second to Mighty Aslan, sitting in the breeze for the 2230 metres. The pair rated a respectable 2:04.0, with the last 800 metres covered in 59 seconds.
"An old horse like that, he just needs a couple of hard runs and he should be back to his best," Harding added.
From his 108 starts the eight-year-old has won 35 and has been placed in nearly as many again.
Career highlights so far include back-to-back wins in the Gawler Cup as well as a Maryborough Cup, a Mount Gambier Cup and two wins at Moonee Valley. Placings in the Tontine Final, Ararat Cup, Salisbury Council Cup, Vet Surgeons Cup, Stawell Cup and Terang Cup further highlight his ability.
Main rivals on Saturday night include Victorian raider The Fall Guy, already a winner of two races in the past seven days, in-from pacer Dont Kid Me, and the enigmatic Zatamilu.