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Comeback galloper Apparition makes miraculous return from tendon injury to chase hat-trick in Roebourne Cup

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Jay RooneyThe West Australian
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Kristian Hawkins with comeback galloper Apparition
Camera IconKristian Hawkins with comeback galloper Apparition Credit: Facebook/Harvey Racing

Two years after a catastrophic tendon injury, modest performer Apparition has defied the odds to make a stunning comeback to racing on Roebourne’s red dirt track.

The York and Narrogin winner was retired after a severe tendon tear in 2020 but has returned in a blaze of glory, notching back-to-back wins ahead of Saturday’s $60,000 Roebourne Cup.

Trainer Todd Harvey was stunned when Apparition returned to his Ascot stable in such good order last year.

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“He had a 40 per cent tear that was 15cm long and I remember the vet telling me it was game over,” Harvey said.

“My wife Brittany found him a home with a young girl in Narrogin and she had to send him back about a year-and-a-half later.

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“He came back and looked really good, so we got him rescanned and then gave him some work and went from there.”

Harvey sent Apparition to the north-west to avoid Perth’s wet tracks and the move paid off.

“My best mate Kristian Hawkins and his partner Nadia Bishop are up there,” Harvey said.

“The horse started with Dean Cocivera but now Nadia has her trainer’s licence.

“Most of the owners stuck with him and for him to come back to race, let alone win, is incredible.”

Bishop, a former jockey who last rode in a race in 2015, will make her training debut at Roebourne on Saturday.

Apprentice Cassey Martinian has booted home Apparition in his past two starts and will again ride the six-year-old in the cup. He is the $2.65 favourite.

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