By Alex Nolan
Comeback lad Ninetymile King will trial before the first race at Albion Park on Thursday night as he prepares to contest the Group 2 Golden Sands over 600 metres, starting December 30.
Ninetymile King and his trainer Bianca Whitford made headlines when the now three-year-old returned from a five-month injury let-up, which included Achilles tendon surgery, to win first-up at Capalaba in October.
He then showed his customary late burst to win a heat of the Queensland Flame over 520m at his fourth run back, before running a brave fourth in the final.
The Group 2 Golden Sands is the flagship middle distance event during the TAB Golden Greys Summer Carnival and features a $113,000 final on January 6.
Prior to sustaining his injury, Ninetymile King had won seven from eight over the 600-metre distance at Albion Park and boasted a personal best time of 34.81 seconds.
“At this stage I believe (600m) is his preferred distance,” Whitford said.
“He just warms up a bit too late over the 500, as was the case in the Flame final.
“He gave them 11 lengths down the back and got beaten just under four…he needs that little extra, so the 600 is perfect for him.”
Whitford said the Middle Distance Challenge, which concludes at Albion Park on Thursday night, was considered for Ninetymile King but they opted out with the Golden Sands firmly in their sights.
“It would have meant he was up over 600 metres four weeks in a row,” she said.
“The Sands is a fantastic race for him.”