Ritza Hattie and Red Road both had the brakes applied to their fast-rising careers but trainer Mark Gat is confident the pair will be back fully fit and firing shortly.
The pair, who are both notable prospects, have been out of action since appearing at Sandown Park in May.
Both dogs were nursing minor niggles after strong campaigns which saw each underline their status as Group talents to watch.
After recovering from their knocks, both are now being primed to race again in about two months’ time.
“I only brought them back in from the paddock a few days ago,” Gatt said.
“It usually takes me about eight weeks to get them back to racing fitness, so they should be back racing soon.
“They are both mature dogs now and I’m really confident they will come back just as strong.”
After returning from a break of more than two months in April, Ritza Hattie was absolutely flying.
She chalked up five consecutive placings at Wentworth Park – a run that included a runners-up spot in the Evans And Son Jewellers Ladies Bracelet Final over 520m.
A sixth-place finish on her last appearance at Sandown Park on May 8 convinced Gatt it was time to give the bitch, who has 14 wins from 28 starts, a breather.
Exciting Red Road has compiled a super record of 11 wins from 18 starts, including victory in the $40,000-to-the-winner Group Two Richmond Derby in March.
He has also been inactive since a seventh place outing at the same Sandown Park meeting over 515m.
“The break’s done them the world of good,” Gatt said.
“They’ve both put on a bit of weight and I’m really happy with the way they have come up.
“Ritza Hattie had not had a break in a while so I’m sure this will do her good in the long run.
“It’s going to be great having them back.”
In more good news for the Thirlmere-based trainer, Red Road’s sister Addison Road is also likely to return to competitive racing soon.
The promising bitch, who has five wins from 11 starts, has not run since March due to injury.
Black Road, who broke sectional records at Unibet Gardens, is also on the comeback trail for Gatt and should be back soon.
He has not run since finishing second over 400m at Bulli in March.
