Gold Force Set For Long Awaited Return

A near track record 24.16 trial a week ago has Gold Force primed to return to racing in a 440m 4^th-5^th Grade at Goulburn on Friday.

The son of Aussie Infrared and Silver Scissors has not raced since winning in 29.42 at Wentworth Park on December 12 after pulling up with a stress fracture of the hock.

Trainer Denice Warren says Gold Force, winner at five of his six starts, has no issues with the hock as evident by his scorching Goulburn trial last week, running just .01 outside Hotel Whisky One's track record mark.

He has drawn box two on Friday.

FIELDS AND FORM GOULBURN FRIDAY

"He loves to rail, but at his first run back I probably would have liked to have him drawn wide," Warren said.

"You can get squeezed up early at Goulburn from an inside draw."

Gold Force, a giant of a dog at 39.5kgs, slipped 12.87 around Goulburn at his first trial back from the spell, then went 19.37 over the 300m.

Immediate plans for the gifted chaser remain up in the air.

"I'd like to keep him to the big tracks while he is on his comeback to racing even though he has shown he can handle two-turn tracks like Wenty," the trainer added.

"I've thought about The Q but all their big races on the Q1 track are coming up a bit quick for him.

"He would need to trial there and his owner, Mick Boots, has suggested we fly up for a trial at The Q.

"But, he's such a tall dog, I'm worried about him being in a crate on a plane!"

The Group 2 Ballarat Cup is coming up, the heats on May 25 and the $40,000-to-the-winner final on May 30.

"But, I'm not making any certain plans for him until I see how he goes on Friday and how he pulls up," Warren said.

"I hate making long-term plans for dogs."