Throttle Down On Trainer's Old Stomping Ground

After slashing trials at Mandurah and Cannington, it was expected WA Sprint Champion Throttle would make his return to racing on home ground yet Thursday's Albion Park's Golden Ticket series will be the fawn dog's first start since October 23.

In preparation for a Melbourne Cup campaign, Throttle suffered a tear of the gracilis muscle and no risks were taken with the son of West On Augie.

"The injury was enough to have him sidelined for six weeks (without fast work) and it's taken time to get him back into race fitness," Dave Robartson said.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

"He's never been to Albion Park yet, to me, it's much like Sandown and he really performed well there in preparation for the (Melbourne) Cup.

"Not having experience at the track is a concern but he's really pleased me in trials at home and the format of this series suits.

"He's here to win on Thursday but second is good enough to get a start the following Thursday (a head-to-head, match race format) and he'll be fitter for the run – the track experience will be a bonus."

While Sandgropers to the core, Dave and Christine Robartson were based in Queensland (in the south east at Churchable) for many years and travelled 2010 Perth Cup winner High Earner and 2007 Sandown Laurels winner Miss Hot Gossip with success.

Now it's Throttle's turn to make a name for himself and, having just turned 27 months of age, the best may be yet to come.