Lindsay Park trainer Ben Hayes is not entirely familiar with all the challenges Tatsumaki faced in Hong Kong, but he knows they were significant. Now under the care of Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, Tatsumaki will make his first start in nearly three-and-a-half years in the Barastoc Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday. While the Barastoc Handicap is one of the lower-profile races on the card, Tatsumaki is one of the day’s most fascinating runners.

Tatsumaki began his career in the UK with Marco Botti, winning all three of his starts at Newmarket between August and October 2021. He was then sent to Hong Kong, joining the Tony Cruz stable. After four trials, he was entered for a race in October 2022 but was scratched due to a swollen left fore. Following an 18-month recovery and a transfer to Benno Yung’s care, the gelding again reached the trialling stage before encountering further issues, prompting his move to Australia.

Tatsumaki is part-owned by Edmund Lee, who has had significant success with Lindsay Park, including dual Newmarket Handicap winner Redkirk Warrior and dual Australian Cup winner Harlem. “He was a horse that was bought to race in Hong Kong but unfortunately broke down with a bowed tendon,” Ben Hayes said. “I don’t know the full story in Hong Kong, but he arrived to us and went straight into work after completing his rehab there. He’s had a nice build-up and three good jump-outs.”

Hayes acknowledges that it’s difficult to predict how Tatsumaki will perform on Saturday but has been encouraged by his jump-outs at Pakenham and Flemington. The gelding has spent most of his time at Lindsay Park’s Euroa property but has also trained at their Flemington and Pakenham stables. “He’s been to all our facilities and has settled in well,” Hayes said. “We’re aware that he hasn’t raced for a long time, but he seems sound and happy. It will be an interesting watch for us as we’ll learn a lot about him.”