The son of Snitzel headed off to stud at Newgate Farm after suffering a suspensory
issue, but fertility problems resulted in his stud career being halted and he
was put back into work earlier this year.Menari is building towards the possibility of one run this preparation, in the Listed At Sea Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on May 25 providing it's a "dry track" and is expected to trial again on May 13.
The four-year-old galloped over 800m today, running his last 600m in 35.66 seconds.
"He was terrific," Innes Jr said. "I reckon he's come back as good as we could have expected and hoped.
"He's ticked all the boxes at home. We brought him here today to get him out of the stable environment on a raceday and he was terrific. He floated around.
"He had his ears pricked and to him that was just a bit of a warm up.
"It was absolutely beautiful.
Innes said James McDonald rode Menari in a jumpout at Rosehill last week and the horse won the competition in a breeze.
"We were struggling to keep up with him and when James gave him a squeeze, he pulled away with ease," he said.
"I definitely don't think his racing days are over."
Menari covered 64 mares, but got just 18 in foal so you can see why a tilt at the 2019 Everest holds plenty of appeal.
A big horse with tremendous natural talent, Menari might be just about ready to deliver on the Group I promise he has always shown.
