It’s been a long journey and arguably our best feel good story for the season so far, seeing Guido back in the winner’s stall after 723 days.

After controversially being scratched on the day of the 2023 Jericho Cup in which he was the strong favourite for the race, Guido had a freshen up and returned for the Autumn of 2024 where the Adelaide Cup looked to be a possibility. The highlight of that preparation was an agonisingly close second in the 3000m event of Sandown’s Easter meeting. Unfortunately after that preparation, Guido was succumbed to injury which required a lengthy rehabilitation process and twelve months off the scene.

The Mitch Freedman team and OTI racing team have done an incredible job to nurture Guido through this process, giving him every opportunity to return to the races and he has continued to flourish. Mitch Freedman Racing's foreperson, Lisa Matthews has been instrumental in Guido’s rehabilitation and described him as “the perfect patient” due to his lovely attitude and willingness to take part. Guido returned to the jump outs in April this year but jarred up on the firmer tracks and Freedman decided it was best for the horse to have a few weeks off, waiting for the weather to turn and target the Jericho Cup once again.

Guido has continued to build through the campaign and now back out to 4000m, his preferred trip, the fruits of the Freedman’s team hard work and patience has paid off with a dominant display, winning by 2.25 lengths. When interviewed post-race, Freedman joked that “he’s as round as a house, doesn’t necessarily look like a stayer but he will stay all day.”

All roads now lead to the Jericho Cup and the quest for redemption. Congratulations to all involved with the rehabilitation process and the ownership group of OTI, an incredible feat to have him back to this stage and there are more chapters to come in this wonderful story.