Jared Kahlefeldt pinching himself as comeback pacer Muscle Factory chases group one Riverina Championships win

The career of Muscle Factory, the 2019 Victoria Derby winner, looked over due to a serious tendon injury.

Kahlefeldt convinced his New Zealand co-owners that it was worth trying surgery in a bid to see Muscle Factory back on the track.

Respected surgeon Jim Vasey gave Muscle Factory a 50-50 chance of returning to the track and Kahlefeldt is still pinching himself that just 18 months later, his star is set to contest a group one at Riverina Paceway.

"I walked him for at least four months," Kahlefeldt recalled.

"I started off walking him five minutes a day. Then five minutes twice a day. Then 10 minutes a day, then 10 minutes twice a day. Up until 35 minutes of walking.

"Then I got him into a small yard and built that up to a bigger yard then paddock."

The hard yards were all part of the rehabilitation plan.

"I've got the perception that you've got to treat them like athletes. You've got to keep them moving," Kahlefeldt said.

"It didn't really matter how much time it took. He's done a great job for us and you don't mind taking the time with a good horse like him.

"After six months, he was going to get scanned and he would be either good to go, or no good, and that's why that work in the first six months was very crucial."

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The news was good after the six month scan. The surgery had been a success. After 10 months at Kahlefeldt's place, he was sent to the Belinda McCarthy for the next stage of the comeback.

The McCarthy stable took their time with Muscle Factory. They worked him slowly back to full fitness and the five-year-old returned to the track in December a winner.

Muscle Factory won his first five races back before finishing a close second behind Out To Play in Tuesday night's heat.

Kahlefeldt cannot believe the comeback has resulted in Muscle Factory competing in the group one Riverina Championships so soon.

"That's huge. We didn't expect it really," he said.

"Coming back a 50 rater a few months ago, we were just excited and happy just to have him back at the races. We were kind of hoping that one day, if he stays sound, that he would get back to the top level but to be contesting a group one after just seven starts back from a two-year lay-off, it certainly exceeded our expectations.

"To be lining up as one of the main chances in a group one here is pretty exciting."

Kahlefeldt, who bred the horse, will look to make the most of the occasion, planning to watch the big race with family and friends on Sunday.

Muscle Factory is the $3.00 second favourite and will start from gate two.

Kahlefeldt is simply happy to have Muscle Factory back but also does not think he will be out of place in Sunday's hotly-contested final.

"He'll need to improve on the other night but he will improve, Luke's pretty sure," he said.

"He hadn't raced for three weeks prior to that run and Luke has been spacing his runs a fair bit deliberately to look after his legs. He needed that run the other night, he was blowing pretty hard afterwards and will take a fair bit from that.

""The draw is on his side and he'll need every bit of advantage."

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