Master’s back for Mawer

By Danny Buttler
LANCE Armstrong managed it and so did Michael Jordan.
Not many others, however, have made comebacks that have taken them back to the top of their sport.
Veteran galloper Master O’Reilly was retired last spring after his fourth Caufield Cup – a race he famously won in 2007.
But the Master’s original trainer, Cranbourne’s own Judy Mawer, has got the old warhorse back into work and has decided to see if he still has what it takes.
This Sunday’s Cranbourne Cup will be the biggest test to date for the nine-year-old, who has turned out twice in this campaign for moderate results.
“He’s gone all right so far, he needed to get a few cobwebs out,” Mawer said.
After leaving the Danny O’Brien stable, the New Zealand bred gelding was sent to the old folk’s paddock where he was less than happy.
“He doesn’t like being out in the paddock,” Mawer said.
“I just think he loves the attention, he livens up a bit once he is on the track.
“He’s a funny old bloke who enjoys his work – he just potters along all day.”
While you should never count out a champion, the trainer said she had reservations about her charge’s ability to handle the tight Cranbourne track.
“He needs plenty of ground so the short races aren’t much good for him,” she said.
“I think the track on Sunday will be too short for him.
“Cranbourne is more of a front-runner’s track, so I think the track will probably beat us.”
Looking for a long straight for the old man to get into stride on, Mawer is considering a tilt at the Bendigo Cup in a few weeks time – a race that could add some handy dollars to his almost $3 million in winnings.
But despite the 2400 metre race being a qualifier for the Melbourne Cup, Mawer has no illusions about more black type being added to the Master O’Reilly name.
“Not really, it’s just a bit of fun more than anything,” she said.
That fun has extended to the wider racing public, which has enjoyed seeing a Caulfield Cup winner back on the track.
Mawer said people constantly appraoch her to talk about the veteran stayer.
“A heap of people come up to him and it’s good to see them following him around,” she said.
Whether that goodwill can carry the grand old man back to the dizzy heights of yesteryear seems doubtful, but stranger things have happened at the track.