Bethencourt takes next step on comeback trail

Kim Waugh is keen to target a brace of mid-winter Country Cups with gallant gelding Bethencourt, who continues his comeback from a career-threatening leg injury at Randwick.

A fetlock issue had the seven-year-old at a crossroads 12 months ago, his owners faced with the dilemma of whether to pursue a lengthy process of surgery and rehabilitation or pull up stumps.

They opted for the former and that choice was vindicated when Bethencourt, aided by a remarkable training effort from Waugh, posted a slashing win over 1600m at Gosford last month in his first start for 11 months.

“The owners were great getting the operation done,” Waugh said.

“They could have easily just retired him, but he was still producing and going so well, so we did the surgery and to come back and win first-up was pretty good.”

Bethencourt was an acceptor for last week’s Scone Cup (1600m) but was scratched due to an outside gate.

He has been rerouted to the Fujitsu Airstage Handicap (1600m) at Randwick this weekend where he has a much kinder draw in barrier three.

With superior form on rain-affected tracks, Bethencourt will be advantaged by any give in the ground and Saturday’s race will be a key factor in shaping his immediate program.

“He might venture up to Queensland a bit later. He’s been over a mile to 2000 (metres), but I think a mile is his sweet spot,” Waugh said.

“We’ll get through his next run and decide what we want to do.

“I’d really like to go to the South Grafton Cup with him and the Coffs Harbour Cup, those places often get soft tracks and it doesn’t matter how heavy it is, he loves it.

“They’re the two races I’m waiting for.”

The South Grafton Cup (1600m) is on July 14 while the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) is on August 2.

Bethencourt will be among three Randwick runners for Waugh along with the in-form Dimaggio in the Midway Handicap (1400m) and Camaguey in the PF Civil Equipment Handicap (2000m).