Craig will make his second appearance since returning from a year-long absence when he steps out in Friday’s Listed Lord Stakes (1600m) at Sandown.
The talented galloper endured a frustrating 12 months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to remove a bone chip and later requiring a wind operation.
Prepared by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Craig resumed at Caulfield in late November and is expected to be much sharper with that run behind him.
Busuttin said the gelding’s lack of race fitness was evident first-up.
“He was OK first-up but lacked a bit of ringcraft, he was very rusty,” Busuttin said.
“It’s a bit different when you’re fresh up against maidens or class 1 horses, but he’s going well and he’s come on big time from it.
“He had a chip taken out of a joint and then when we got him back, he went in the wind.
“I thought the wind operation had worked, nine out of 10 times they don’t, and he’s still got to go out do it, but Craig (Williams) came back in and said his breathing was fine.
“I was happy when he rang up for the ride, so that tells a bit of the story.
“He can get off and say blah, blah, blah, but him wanting to ride him next time tells you something.”
Williams retains the mount after riding Craig in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m), where the gelding finished midfield.
Busuttin said Craig’s work since that run suggested a stronger showing was likely.
Although unsure if Craig can recapture the peak form that saw him runner-up in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), Busuttin believes the ability is still there.
“He’s run second in a Toorak, albeit beaten a fair way, but he’s Group 1 class,” Busuttin said.
“Now he’s got to come back and show us that after the wind op, but if he was right, and its pie in the sky, but the All-Star Mile and those sorts of races could be on the radar.
“It’s not long now until you’re starting to get ready for those races.
“Best case scenario, he runs well Friday and we then can give him a freshen up for the autumn.”
Updated betting odds for the Lord Stakes are available via the Australian betting sites list.
