The heats of the Group 2 PPK Mining Maitland Gold Cup (450m) on Thursday afternoon will see the return of popular sprinter Nosey Rozy from injury.
Nosey Rozy (pictured) has been sidelined since October last year after undergoing surgery to repair a dropped back muscle.
Trainer Joe Baldacchino said the recovery from the injury had gone well and, while he admits he is nervous, believes Nosey Rozy will put in a good performance.
"She trialled well at Richmond in the lead-up to these heats and everything suggests she can get back to her best," Baldacchino said.
"That said it was a serious injury and it will be the stiffest opposition she has faced when she races on Thursday, so it will be a tough test.
"I am just thrilled to have her back."
Nosey Rozy is undefeated at Maitland, having won her four starts at the track, including once over the 450m back in September last year.
She will jump from box eight in heat two on Thursday - a draw from which she has won her only start from and one Baldacchino is happy with.
"If you can't get box one, the next best is box eight. She should be out of trouble jumping from out wide and hopefully she can run well."
Nosey Rozy has won nine from 12 starts and has proven to be a fan favourite, due to some sensational runs at Wentworth Park in the latter part of 2013. In her last start she ran 29.60 in a brilliant win at Wentworth Park.
But the daughter of Disintergrate has also had her career hampered by injuries.
After starting her career with five straight wins, she tore a hip support which sidelined her for eight months.
She then resumed to win three of her next five starts before injuring her back muscle.
Nosey Rozy's latest injury occurred in the lead-up to the Vic Peters Classic, a series that looked at her mercy considering the form she was in at the time.
As a result, Baldacchino does not like to plan ahead with Nosey Rozy - the only greyhound he has in work - and any mention of a tilt at the Macro Meats Golden Easter Egg in April is avoided by the WILLOW Vale-based trainer.
"I don't plan ahead with her. I have learnt that," he said.
"I will just take it one race at a time. All I can be certain of is that she will give her all on Thursday because she always does and that will never change."
Full fields for the Maitland Gold Cup heats can be found by clicking here.
