Trainer Lance O'Sullivan is confident Sir Charles Road can get his Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) campaign back on track in today's Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m).
Placed in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) earlier this year, Sir Charles Road spiked a temperature after a strong run for fourth in the Gr.3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) and suffered another setback when stripped behind last start when finishing last in the Gr.3 Coongy Cup (2000m).
"He got galloped on both hind-legs and needed eight staples in one, so you've got to give him the benefit of the doubt," O'Sullivan, who trains in partnership with Andrew Scott, said.
O'Sullivan said the injury had not been a major setback and he expected the David Archer-owned galloper to perform to his peak.
"It was more getting a temperature earlier on in the spring that was a hindrance," he said.