Washington Heights back in Australia

Gerald Ryan has welcomed Washington Heights back to his stable and the gelding has shown his readiness for the next phase of his career with a barrier trial win at Randwick.

After doing his early racing in Sydney, Washington Heights went to Hong Kong where he won two of his four starts for trainer Paul O’Sullivan.

He returned to Ryan early this year and will make his comeback in a 1200m-race at Rosehill on Saturday after his reassuring trial.

“He had a bit of a joint problem which he is over now and he is back here to race on softer tracks,” Ryan said.

“He won’t have many starts this time and he won’t race in the summer when the tracks are hard.

“He is in great order as he showed in the barrier trial and he will race on Saturday.

“It’s so great to have him back.

“Everyone in the stable loves him. He is a lovely big horse with a great nature and we call him George after George Washington.”

Kerrin McEvoy rode Washington Heights in Monday’s 740m-trial and will be aboard on race day.

Washington Heights showed his ability at his first start when he ran second to Hallowed Crown in the Group Three Kindergarten Stakes.

Hallowed Crown went on to win two Group One races and now stands at Darley Stud.

There were 14 entries taken on Monday for the Benchmark 93 race including Washington Heights’ stablemate Inz’n’out who pulled up from his last race on June 24 with a poor recovery rate.

“I don’t think he liked the really heavy track,” Ryan said.

“He has since passed the vet tests and he trialled in front of the stewards and he seems fine.”