<\/p>\n
Nadal will make his much-anticipated return to the races this Saturday.<\/p>\n
And the stable says he can definitely win, despite the long break.<\/p>\n
The Ciaron Maher-trained sprinter marked himself as a potential Group 1 contender of the future when he scorched past the likes of Baraqiel, Rey Magnerio and Arkansaw Kid to win the first edition of The Meteorite (1200m) in blistering fashion at Cranbourne in November. <\/p>\n
He then finished midfield in The Supernova over 1400 metres in December before injury curtailed any thoughts of an autumn campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has come back really well,\u201d assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told The Verdict podcast.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe went out due to knee issues and had a long break.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has come back through Ballarat and then prepped up at Fingal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have given him time.\u201d<\/p>\n
And it appears to have worked wonders.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment, you wouldn\u2019t even know he\u2019s had any history there,\u201d Turnbull said.<\/p>\n
Press PLAY below to listen to The Verdict podcast<\/p>\n
Nadal will contest the Barastoc Handicap over 1100 metres (Race 4) at Caulfield this Saturday and the market is largely expecting him to pick up from where he left off.<\/p>\n
Turnbull said it wouldn\u2019t shock if he did.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout a doubt. He is just a good horse,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has got the ability to quicken up where (other) horses can\u2019t, so long as the race is run truly enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll be back, there is no doubt, but he\u2019ll be there for one crack and hopefully he can get over the top of them because he does fly fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turnbull said Nadal\u2019s performance on Saturday would largely dictate where he ran next.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is here off one jumpout, so there is good improvement to come,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re naturally looking at a Schillaci, or possibly even a Gilgai.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll just see.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the rain does fall, then that is a huge plus.\u201d<\/p>\n
WATCH: Nadal’s blistering win in The Meteorite<\/p>\n
\n
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