The forgotten challenger to Lazarus's third New Zealand Cup has taken a small step toward making the great race.
And while trainer Brian Hughes isn't getting carried away with The Orange Agent's comeback, he says if he gets the glamour mare back to her best he won't be scared to take on the champ.
The Orange Agent is on the third injury rehab of her career with a fracture in her cannon bone ending this season before it began but she had the hopples back on for the first time this preparation this week.
"It was nothing serious but was good to give her a slow hoppled run and so far so good," says Hughes.
"She looks good but very big so she is still a fair while away from racing."
Hughes says a successful comeback would still not see The Orange Agent at the races until the middle of winter, when the only lucrative targets would be in Australia.
"That might be one option but you would think she would need a race or two here first before throwing her in over there."
But if the now six-year-old mare holds together she would ultimately be aimed at the New Zealand Cup, with the great race probably in need of her help.
With so many big name pacers being exported this season, genuine group one rivals for Lazarus should he attempt to win his third Cup in November will be hard to find.
This season's placegetters, Jack's Legend and Tiger Tara, would be likely along with the emerging Star Galleria and Addington officials would love to get Soho Tribeca to the race but after that horses who could be deemed even mildly threatening to Lazarus's three-peat are scarce.
The forgotten challenger to Lazarus's third New Zealand Cup has taken a small step toward making the great race.
And while trainer Brian Hughes isn't getting carried away with The Orange Agent's comeback, he says if he gets the glamour mare back to her best he won't be scared to take on the champ.
The Orange Agent is on the third injury rehab of her career with a fracture in her cannon bone ending this season before it began but she had the hopples back on for the first time this preparation this week.
"It was nothing serious but was good to give her a slow hoppled run and so far so good," says Hughes.
"She looks good but very big so she is still a fair while away from racing."
Hughes says a successful comeback would still not see The Orange Agent at the races until the middle of winter, when the only lucrative targets would be in Australia.
"That might be one option but you would think she would need a race or two here first before throwing her in over there."
But if the now six-year-old mare holds together she would ultimately be aimed at the New Zealand Cup, with the great race probably in need of her help.
With so many big name pacers being exported this season, genuine group one rivals for Lazarus should he attempt to win his third Cup in November will be hard to find.
This season's placegetters, Jack's Legend and Tiger Tara, would be likely along with the emerging Star Galleria and Addington officials would love to get Soho Tribeca to the race but after that horses who could be deemed even mildly threatening to Lazarus's three-peat are scarce.
Michael Guerin