Weblec Eagle returns to Sandown Park tonight and trainer Matt Lanigan couldn’t be more excited.
The winner of the 2019 group 1 Sale Cup, Weblec Eagle has recovered from career threatening hock and achillies injuries and will line up in a race for the first time in 230 days when he jumps from box 1 in the final race of the night.
“It’s been such a long process to get him back,” said Lanigan.
“There were times when I thought he wouldn’t come back but he is flying. I just hope he goes well and gets around safely, I’m super excited.”
While full of praise for the effect the increasingly popular Tvati ointment has had on Weblec Eagle’s recovery, Lanigan also believes a change in training regime has given his star a renewed zest for racing.
“I’ve eased his work load right off. I’ve been putting him in the runs by himself and let him do his own thing.
“He still goes up the straight and on the walker which he absolutely loves, but have just lightened it off and spaced his trials. I have been giving him 2-3 weeks between trials, just to give him the time to recover.
“Fingers crossed it’s seemed to work so far.”
Weblec Eagle won his maiden at Sandown Park almost two years ago (21/7/19) and boasts three wins at the venue in total – once over each distance. While it’s been over 12 months since he last raced at Sandown Park, he did trial impressively in his final hit out leading into tonight which should give confidence to the punters that have taken the $1.65 on offer with TAB.
“He went 23.02 (in a hand slip, running home in 10.28) which was the best of the day by a fair bit. I put another race dog around that went 23.44 who has since came out and won in 29.80.
“When I was leaving, Tony (a member of the track staff) said to me the dog has gone super in today’s conditions. I said ‘not bad for a retired old dog!’”
Lanigan was as excited to draw the red vest with Weblec Eagle as we was when he famously ended a run of 65 races without drawing the inside box in April 2020, and is hoping for a similar result tonight.
“You should have seen me when I got the message, I was jumping up and down in the lounge room! Just hope he uses it now.”
Weblec Eagle is not the only group 1 winner to line up at Sandown Park tonight with Tiggerlong Tonk the sort favourite to win the Free For All (race 4).
Click here for your free Watchdog form guide for tonight’s meeting.
