Hooked On Scotch Set For Racetrack Return

THE wait is over!

Australia's premier sprinter Hooked On Scotch is set to make his much anticipated racetrack return in Wednesday's Stan Lake Memorial (450m) on Warrnambool Cup night.

And with trainer Jason Thompson over the moon with how his five-time group winner has returned from a career threatening hock injury, all is in readiness for the son of Barcia Bale to make a thumping impression at Warrnambool on Wednesday night.

"He trialled 21.62 at Shepparton on Saturday morning over the 390 which they tell me is or is close to the record," said Thompson.

"The track wasn't flash either and he'll take a lot out of that run going into Wednesday. Two Thursdays ago he trialled 22.10 at Warragul over the 400 so it's so far so good.

"He's pulling up well touch wood but we'll get a better idea of where he's at after Wednesday night when he's tested under race conditions."

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Victorious at 12 of his 19 career starts and $350,000 in prize money, the Sandown 515 metre track record holder was last seen when setting the pace for January's Group 2 Warragul Cup before being scratched from the final with injury.

Winner of the group 1 Adelaide Cup and group 1 Hobart Thousand, Hooked On Scotch's other group wins have come in the group 2 Geelong Cup and group 3 Shootout and Speed Star at Sandown Park.

Declared by many as the the most naturally gifted sprinter we've seen grace the track since Brett Lee, Hooked On Scotch will head towards Thursday week's group 1 Harrison-Dawson heats at Sandown providing he progresses through Wednesday night's assignment as hoped.

"That's the plan but we'll be guided by how he goes on Wednesday," Thompson added.

"It's a bit of an ask to go into a series like that with just one race under your belt but it's been the plan for a while and I know what he's capable of. We'll just get through Wednesday and go from there."

And while Hooked On Scotch's return to racing will create plenty of headlines, Thompson also rugs up Zambora Smokey and Razor Sharp in Wednesday night's Warrnambool Cup Final (450m).

Zambora Smokey set the series time-standard in his heat, running down Simon Told Helen in 25.08 on a rain affected track, while Razor Sharp annexed his qualifier for Thompson in 25.24.

"It was a big effort by Zambora Smokey to beat such a seasoned dog like Simon Told Helen the way he did," Thompson said.

"I think it will be harder this week with the red stripping fitter with that run under his belt; he'll (Zambora Smokey) need to begin like he did in his heat.

"Being realistic, Razor Sharp needed to draw inside to figure. I just hope he gets around safely. There's a nice race in him, his time will come. He's a very honest dog."