Maidens Unearthed, Topgun Hero On Comeback Trail

TOPGUN winner Photo Man is starting a comeback to racing after being sidelined for months with a virus.

Part-owner Dave Mckenzie said this today of the son of Aston Dee Bee and Amlin Mystique which has not started since late in November.

FIELDS AND FORM THE MEADOWS WEDNESDAY

“He came out of a heat of the Melbourne Cup with a slight worry in a hock,” said Dave.

“Gavin (trainer Gavin Clifton) and I decided to give him four weeks break.

“But he came out of the kennels one morning very lethargic and it concerned us.

“We took him straight to the vet and blood tests showed he was suffering from a virus.”

That was treated but weeks later when Gavin and Dave took their kennel star back for more blood tests it showed the virus was, if anything, slightly worse.

“Everything is right with him now,” said Dave. “But he has only just now gone back into training.

? SPORTSBET TOPGUN ?

PHOTO MAN quenches his thirst after taking out the $233,250 Group 1 @sportsbetcomau #Topgun at @MelbourneGreys for trainer Gavin Clifton.#GreyhoundRacing #DreamChasers pic.twitter.com/nDDuUB3iFP

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) November 5, 2022

“He will not start within a month to six weeks but he will not be rushed back.”

Photo Man boasts an imposing career of 35 starts for 13 wins and 14 with earnings of $419,000.

He won the 2022 Group 1 Topgun but had also won the G2 Flying Amy Classic and was third in the G1 Brisbane Cup and G1 Adelaide Cup as well as being a finalist in the Million Dollar Chase.

Gavin and Dave will head to The Meadows on Wednesday with a couple of first starters by Moreira and Amelia Star in the Vic-Bred Maiden series.

They are named, Jimmy The Pumper and Sally Supreme.

“We have named a few of them with a jockey theme,” said Dave.

“Obviously their sire Moreira, was named by Harry Manolitsis after the great Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira who was such a success in Hong Kong.

“So we have named some of the pups from  the litter with a jockey theme.

“There is Jimmy The Pumper after Jimmy Cassidy, Aussie Ollie after Damien Oliver, and Jackpot Jamie after Jamie Kah.

“Jimmy The Pumper has the rails at The Meadows and he is drawn to run very well.

“He is very strong.

“We also have Sally Supreme in on Wednesday.”

Jackpot Jamie will make her race debut in a maiden series at Sandown on Sunday.

Aussie Ollie is likely to run at Warragul in a couple of weeks.