Gai Waterhouse. Photo / Daily Telegraph
Talented colt Squamosa will make his long-awaited comeback in Saturday's Listed June Stakes at Randwick.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse confirmed last year's group one Golden Rose runner-up would be taking his place in the 1100m open sprint and would be joined by Winter Stakes-bound stablemate Montana Flyer.
While most eyes will
be fixed on the action in Brisbane for Stradbroke Handicap and Queensland Derby Day, Squamosa's return at Randwick will also create interest in the off-season feature.
A dominant winner of his first three starts last winter, Squamosa ended his first campaign with a game second to Toorak Toff in the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on August 28.
The son of Not A Single Doubt hasn't started since after a setback forced him to miss January's Magic Millions Guineas, as well as the entire Sydney and Melbourne autumn carnivals.
Waterhouse had hoped to target group one races in Brisbane including the Stradbroke but said Squamosa had taken longer than expected to get fit.
"Squamosa is running in the June Stakes and I couldn't be happier with him," Waterhouse said.
"I'll also have Montana Flyer and she will then head up to Brisbane for the fillies and mares' race on the 25th [of June], the Winter Stakes.
"Squamosa took a long time to get fit but I'm over the moon with him.
"There's a couple of nice listed races in the next few weeks and then he'll have a short break and come back for the Melbourne spring carnival."
Last year's June Stakes was a strong renewal, with subsequent group one performers Love Conquers All and Hay List breaking away from the rest of the field to fight out the finish.
Love Conquers All, who will start one of the favourites in the Stradbroke, got home three-quarters of a length in front of Hay List, who was having his first start on the eastern seaboard after being transferred to John McNair after doing his early racing in Perth.
He has gone on to win two group one races this season and has finished runner-up to Black Caviar in three others.
- AAP
