A barrier mishap has cost King Of Love a year of his career and trainer Rod Craig is looking forward to finally getting him back to the races on Wednesday.
The winner of five of his 20 starts, King Of Love returns in the tab.com.au Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury.
He came off the worst when he was spooked by Merlin Mustang in the barriers and both were scratched from a race at Warwick Farm last August.
Merlin Mustang has gone on to win three city races while Craig has had to be patient with King Of Love.
“He got his back leg caught in the gate and then got his front leg caught,” Craig said.
“I’ve had him back in work a couple of times but each time I wasn’t really happy so he went back out again.
“It was a wasted year race-wise but I was happy with his barrier trial. He’s a bit big and burly still but it’s just good to get him back.”
King Of Love ran a home track third in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm on July 12.
Three of the gelding’s wins have been at Canterbury, a track close to Craig’s heart.
Craig spent many years at the inner western Sydney track when it was a training centre and was the last person to prepare a Group One winner from Canterbury, Lady Eclipse who claimed the 1983 Champagne Stakes.
The trainer will also run lightly-raced six-year-old mare Crystal Miss at Wednesday’s meeting, opting to start her in the Casino Prince @ Vinery (1250m) rather than pit her against her stablemate.
“I’ve had to pull her out a couple of times because she has drawn bad barriers and the tracks have been wet,” Craig said.
“But this time she has a good gate (three) so it’s good to be able to get her back to the races.”
