Metal Bender On Way Back (February 13 2010)

Metal Bender's comeback to racing will be guided by new trainer Chris Waller. The highly-successful Sydney horseman has been charged with the WS graduate's return to competition after he missed the spring carnival with a leg injury.

The four-year-old has been transferred to him from the stables of fellow Rosehill trainer Allan Denham, whose late father Jack prepared the gelding to win five of his nine starts, including the Gr 1 Randwick and Rosehill Guineas double.

"I'm very fortunate I've been asked to train the horse," Waller said. "Allan (Denham) has done an amazing job with him and I've got some big boots to fill." Waller has yet to make any decisions about autumn carnival plans for Metal Bender, who has not been seen out since he finished runner-up to Pompeii Ruler in the Gr 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick last April.

By former WS resident Danasinga, Metal Bender was a $A160,000 purchase from the Chittick family's 2007 Inglis Easter draft. He is out of the winning Bluebird mare Jacqwin, who is a half-sister to Gr 1 Goodwood Handicap winner and successful sire Keeper. WS will offer Metal Bender's half-brother by Savabeel in Sydney this year.