It might be almost four years since his finest hour in the Melbourne Cup but Media Puzzle disproved the old adage about them never coming back with a remarkable triumph in last evening's Savel Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.
Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen secured classic glory at the weekend with Nightime but the smiles on their faces as Media Puzzle returned to the winners' enclosure indicated the special place the nine-year-old has secured in their affections.
"This is one of the reasons I train racehorses, to enjoy moments like this," declared Weld who nominated the Ascot Gold Cup later this month as Media Puzzle's major target.
"He is a magnificent horse and a magnificent specimen but he has had chronic tendon problems. I've been told many times to forget it and call it a day with him but I don't go down without fighting when it comes to horses like this," he added.
Even by Weld's standards this was a fine training performance. Injury meant Media Puzzle didn't run again after his historic Flemington triumph until 2004 and there was another two-year gap until he reappeared again two months ago.
"We have to mind him but he's a lovely brave horse. And if we can keep him sound we might end up going back to Australia again," Weld said.
There was a time when the idea of an ex-crock, who will be 10 by the Southern Hemisphere clock, contesting the Melbourne Cup would have had the Aussies curling up with laughter. But judging by last night, and Weld's record in the race, there will probably be only respectful and maybe even fearful silence Down Under at that news.
Weld and Smullen wasted no time confirming their good form as Reform Act carried 9st 9lb to a narrow victory over Medico in the mile and a quarter handicap.
"It was a good performance and I think she is a Stakes filly," said the trainer before emphasising: "I expect her to get some nice black type." In contrast the David Wachman yard have had something of a nightmare start to the season but there were signs of distinct hope in the winning debut of He's A Decoy in the seven furlong maiden.
Despite a slow start and running green, Wayne Lordan's mount got up in the dying strides to deny City Of New York and earn a possible trip to Royal Ascot's Chesham Stakes.
"There's nothing wrong with the horses, they've just been running terrible so we stopped for a while. It's been poor performance syndrome!" said Wachman. "We've been picking and choosing which to run but this one will be grand. To win first time out is a fair achievement." Lordan later doubled up on Dapple Grey who landed the concluding maiden with the odds on favourite Benjamin Franklin only third. Howya Now Kid landed the opener while the Co Meath trainer Tom McCourt had the first two home in the mile handicap, Rookwith and Dalwich.
