‘Arty’ works towards return

Champion pacer Lochinvar Art could make a long-awaited racetrack return in his hometown feature early next year.

It’s understood the seven-time Group 1 winner is being set a path towards a first-up run in the 2022 Shepparton Gold Cup, which would be his first competitive race since winning February’s Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup.

The horse was expected to return to work today at Luke and Belinda McCarthy’s Cobbitty Equine Farm, where he’s been staying during his rehabilitation from injury and while performing stud duties.

After kick-starting his preparation with the McCarthys in New South Wales, the son of Modern Art is expected to return to trainer Kasey Kent’s Kialla stables later this month or in early December.

Then he will ramp up his work for a racetrack return, with the desire to get him fit and ready for the Shepparton feature on January 15.

Owner Kevin Gordon shared a post on social media this week that outlined a section of Lochinvar Art’s MRI report, and notably the “crack” that had been present in one of his legs now appears fully healed.

“Remodelling of the right hind fetlock with improved appearance of the lateral condylar pathology, the previously described ‘crack’ can not be identified,” the post read.

Lochinvar Art took out the Shepparton Gold Cup in January this year and is a winner of 28 races and more than $1.3 million in prizemoney.

By Tim O’Connor for HRV