Pacing marvel cleared for comeback

PACING marvel Lochinvar Art is back in work.

Owner Kevin Gordon was thrilled to share news recent scans had given his superstar, which has been standing at stud in recent months, the ‘all clear’ to resume racing duties.

With the multiple Group One winner a resident stallion for Luke and Belinda McCarthy, the New South Wales-based couple are “slowly jogging him up.”

Lochinvar Art was first sidelined due to a hoof injury after pulling a shoe and standing on a nail just hours before his scheduled appearance in the Newcastle Mile in February.

The injury ruled him out of the Miracle Mile a few weeks later for which he was pre-draw favourite.

Connections originally hoped to have the last start A G Hunter Cup winner ready to defend his Victoria Cup title in October, however, his comeback was hampered by a broken hind cannon bone.

With the healing process taking longer than anticipated, Lochinvar Art not only missed the Cup, but will be absent from next month’s Inter Dominion.

The time honoured series is scheduled to begin with heats at Club Menangle on November 27.

Hopefully Lochinvar Art will be ready for his Hunter Cup defence in February, Gordon revealed the five-year-old’s first major target is the Shepparton Cup in January.

“The vets have given him the all clear,” Gordon said. “The scans showed he is 100 per cent sound, with the vets very pleased with the way he has healed.

“He is back in work with Luke and Belinda who said he looks a million dollars.

“We hope to have him resume racing in the Shepparton Cup.”