Connections of Centigrade could not be in a more positive frame of mind after his winning return to the racetrack at Southwell following a near two-year absence.
The Too Darn Hot colt impressed in both his starts as a juvenile with a short-head second in a Sandown maiden to Jonquil followed by a comfortable win in a Newbury novice.
But the Ralph Beckett-trained inmate was then sidelined by injury and ended a 601-day absence giving plenty of weight to his rivals over a mile, winning by the best part of three lengths going away.
Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbreds said: “We were thrilled to bits. He’s obviously been off a long time with an injury but he’s been training very well.
“He’s come back and we’ve obviously been seriously excited about this horse since his debut at Sandown and that facile win at Newbury. To see him come back and win like he did over a mile giving lumps of weight away was really impressive.
“There are no plans and we’ll see what the handicapper does on Tuesday and slightly plot from there, but we’d like to think that he’s a proper Group horse in the making.”
He added: “Ralph had him absolutely spot on but you’ve got to blow the old cobwebs out.
“Hopefully everyone’s patience will be well worthwhile as he moves up in grade and hopefully he stays sound and well. He’s come out of the race 100 per cent which is great, so lots of opportunity.”
Another horse Highclere have high hopes for is Merchant, and Herbert is delighted with the way he is recovering from a tendon injury.
The son of Teofilo has not been since July last year when winning the Gordon Stakes and he will not been seen again this season as he is given all the time he needs to recover fully before returning for his five-year-old season, having been gelded during his rehab.
Herbert said: “Merchant had a tendon injury so he’s off for a year. He looks fantastic, the vets are thrilled to bits with the tendon at this stage.
“We won’t bring him back this year. I’ve talked to William (Haggas) and we just thought ‘no we’ll leave him until next year’.
“I think you give him all the time he needs. He looks incredible and like Centigrade he’s a serious hope for the future in very important races and now gelded.
“We’re thrilled with how the injury has mended but a tendon is a tendon. It’s always a worry but he is in fantastic form so he’ll come back next year as a five-year-old.”
