Baraqiel set for return in the 2025 Carlyon Stakes

Baraqiel is set for a racetrack comeback after the Leon, Troy and Will Larkin team successfully navigated his latest clearance process with Racing Victoria.

Now seven, the gelding has had an interrupted career due to persistent leg troubles, yet he boasts an impressive record of six wins from just 10 outings.

He was originally pencilled in to resume in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield late last month but was scratched when vets deemed him lame during a pre-race inspection. That would have marked his return after finishing third in The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne last November, where he pulled up sore.

The stables sought further review with their vet and Racing Victoria’s panel, resulting in Baraqiel being cleared to resume. He is now expected to contest the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley this weekend.

Larkin said the Caulfield ruling was tough to take. “He’s a horse with a history of injuries so he doesn’t trot perfectly, but that’s his normal. Unfortunately the vets didn’t have that background,” he explained. “It was embarrassing for the team at the time but we’ve worked out a process to avoid it happening again.”

Baraqiel had his debut delayed by a tendon problem before later suffering a suspensory injury. Thankfully, Larkin confirmed subsequent scans have shown no ongoing issues. “Our vet has been with us for years and knows the horse well — she’d never pass him if there was something wrong,” he said.

A recent Flemington jump-out win has the stable confident. “He’s been very sharp and if he brings that to the races he’ll run well,” Larkin noted.

The Norman Carlyon Stakes shapes as the next step in Baraqiel’s return, with punters able to access odds across trusted online bookmakers here.