Six-win pacer continues comeback tonight

Six-win pacer About Turn (Changeover) will continue his harness racing comeback at Cambridge Raceway on Friday when he contests the Waikato Principals Association Handicap Pace (2700m).

Retirement beckoned the son of Changeover after a tendon injury last year, but a series of events has resulted in his return to the track.

“He had a little bit of a hole in a tendon. We were going to rehome him but he was a stallion,” trainer Mike Berger said.

“We spent three or four months trying to rehome him, but we couldn’t rehome a stallion.

“He is a bit of a pet; he is a lovely horse. We gelded him and he got a bit of an infection after that.

“Time went on and his leg was looking good so I got it scanned and the vet said he was a chance of being a racing prospect again if we wanted to give him a go.

“We decided to give him another go and so far the leg has been really good.”

The six-year-old, who has won six starts to date and ran fourth in the Gr.1 Harness Jewels 3YO Emerald (1980m), has had two starts back and while Berger doesn’t believe he is a winning chance on Friday, he has been pleased with his progress.

“I haven’t been disappointed with his two runs and he should be fitter for them,” Berger said. “He hadn’t raced for nearly 11 months.

“I can’t see him winning with a couple of Arna’s (Donnelly, trainer) in there, but I can see him placing with a bit of luck. He is good from a stand.”

Berger is also looking forward to kicking off the career of three-year-old debutant Always B Charlie (Always B Miki).

While making his racing debut, he already has the unique tag of being a sire.

“He must have got out of his paddock when he was turned out at some point. It surprised me because he is the quietest colt you would ever get,” Berger said.

“He is a nice, little horse. I think he will go a good race.

“I am not 100 percent saying he is a winner, but he is certainly a nice, handy maiden.”

Berger will also line-up Barbarossa (Captaintreacherous) in the Hydroflow Mobile Pace (2700m) and Fletch Maguire in the Dux Mobile Pace (2200m).

“Barbarossa went a little bit better back at Auckland,” Berger said.

“He has had bad draws in his last three starts, but he has got a good draw (2) on Friday so he is going to be a bit handier to them. We are hopeful that he will hold his own.

“Fletch Maguire (Rock N Roll Heaven) has got good gate speed and from that draw (2) he could be out in the lead like he did last time at Cambridge. He is definitely a chance from that draw.”

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by Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk