By Glenn Davis
Trainer Barry Lockwood is hoping Cruze can make a quick return to the winner’s stall when the gelding starts in the Open Handicap at Doomben on Wednesday.
Cruze registered his first win in 20 months when successful over 1350 metres at Doomben on August 18.
It was his first victory since claiming a 1400-metre Class 6 at Eagle Farm in December, 2019.
After beating Gosford sprinter Catesby two starts back, Cruze was then a fading eighth, beaten less than three lengths by the Chris Anderson-trained Ballistic Boy at Doomben 10 days later.
Catesby - a Michael Hellyer mount – will again oppose Cruze along with the Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained pair Peppi La Few and Great Keppell in the Open company field of six starters over 1350 metres.
“They were too good for him last start but he went from a midweek Open company race to Saturday company but only got beaten about three lengths,” Lockwood said.
Cruze experienced a horror run of outs last year before breaking the drought at Doomben two starts back.
“He had a wind problem and had surgery to remove a cyst growing on his wind pipe,” Lockwood said.
“It’s a reasonably common problem in horses.”