Victorian trainer Darren Weir has told RSN radio that former Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune will return to his stables on May 1, after overcoming a tendon issue during the 2013 Group 1 Cox Plate.
Weir said that the French import would “begin a rehab program” as he returns to racing.
“He appears to be over his leg issues and I can’t wait to have him back,” said Weir.
The big grey stallion is an unexpected return to the track, given his prospects at the breeding barn. However, owner Gerry Ryan has been resting the horse at Nagambie, and wants him to return to the track before a career at stud.
The prospect of a Melbourne Cup win and subsequent benefit for his stud value is the most-likely reason for his return.
Puissance De Lune was a short priced favourite for the 2013 Melbourne Cup, after winning the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in late 2012 for jockey Glen Boss, who had massive raps on the horse.
The star stayer went on to win the Group 2 Peter Lawrence Stakes and was narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Makybe Diva and Turnbull Stakes before suffering an injury during the Cox Plate.
The campaign embarked on by Darren Weir was queried by many commentators, with the horse clearly aimed at the Melbourne Cup, but travelling via an unusual path.
None of the 64 winners of the PB Lawrence Stakes (formerly known as the J.J. Liston Stakes) have gone on to win the Melbourne Cup.
In the end, he was never tested in the 3200m race.
Could 2014 be his chance? Bookmakers haven’t yet framed him in their markets, but word to the wise – they bagmen made a fortune last year, with punters backing him Ante Post at relatively short odds many months out from the race. Most didn’t get their money back when he was scratched.
We await to see Weir’s plans.
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