The surname of Murray will have a strong presence at the Wagga Gold Cup carnival with trainer Graeme Murray using the feature race at Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Tuesday as a stepping stone to next week with comeback sprinter.
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The talented winner of six races hasn’t started since an impressive victory on January 17 last year and will head into the Brad Clark Open (1000m) as ready as Murray can have him.
It has been a long road back for Count Dekroner who wasn’t assured of a future on the track when he went amiss 15 months ago.
Murray’s father, the legendary Bede Murray, was a cup carnival phenomenon failing only once to win a race at cup time in more than 30 years.
He was the original trainer of Count Dekroner then Graeme’s brother Paul took over until this preparation.
It’s all system go for Count Dekroner whose Sydney owners will be anxiously waiting a strong return from their pride and joy.
“They have bred a good line of horses and deserve to see him back racing,” Murray said.
“The injury to his leg didn’t look too good and he was given about a 40 per cent chance of racing again.
“He went well in the trial in Sydney and he is ready to go again.
“The plan is to race him on a good surface at Wagga then hopefully have him back next week for the Town Plate.”
From barrier three, Count Dekroner is likely to find the lead where he has been so dominant in his past wins.
Murray will also line up Termele in the sprint – a race which acknowledges recently retired former leading jockey, Brad Clark.
The Kembla Grange trainer will have three runner on Tuesday before he returns next week with up to five contenders.
Included is those in 2016 Town Plate runner-up and Provincial Championship winner Sure And Fast.
The Murray families famous race silks will again be in action at Wagga with Murray ensuring both of his Plate contenders are firing after returning from spells.
“Count Dekroner needed a lot of care down at the farm and then spent nine months resting,” he said.
‘He took a lot of swimming to start with and he has built up steadily since then.
“I expect him to run well.”
It won’t only be a comeback for Count Dekroner, but also Canberra jockey Simon Miller who has his first race rides since a fall at Nowra in January.
Miller was having his best season for years at the time of the fall and will return with two rides including fancied candidate Te Ata Canberra trainer for Matthew Dale.
