Two-time O’Brien Award winner Mister Herbie has been noticeably absent so far this year, scratched sick from his last scheduled start in November 2014.

According to his connections, the seven-year-old gelding is slowly gearing up to return for his 2015 campaign.

“He ended up having some soundness issues with his feet,” said part-owner Mac Nichol. “Then he had a suspensory tear, we had to give him time off. With the big races that he goes in, we wanted to make sure he recovered well.”

The Here Comes Herbie gelding is no stranger to foot problems, challenged by a quarter crack in March of 2012 which resurfaced the following year. Co-owner and trainer Jeff Gillis made the necessary accommodations to assist in recovery, keeping him off the track between starts. His diligent care and attention helped the horse bankroll nearly $1.5 million in earnings over those two years.

“Right now he’s coming back good and Jeff (Gillis) gave him lots of time so we’re hoping he’ll be ready to qualify in five or six weeks in August.

“We’ve got him in a couple stakes races but it’s a question of whether or not Jeff can have him tight enough for that. He’ll need a few starts, so it’s a question mark with the first stakes in September so it’s pretty tight.”

Gillis has gone on record in the past calling Mister Herbie ‘The Perfect Horse’ due to his easy-going nature and impressive speed. Upsetting well-backed favourite Chapter Seven in the Maple Leaf Trot at four, Mister Herbie earned himself a sparkling mark of 1:50.4 and set a stakes record in the process.

A runner-up finish followed in the 2013 edition -- something Mister Herbie had a knack for with second place finishes in half his 12 starts that season. The gelding’s third appearance in the big event brought a strong performance in his elimination, finishing second. Unable to overcome the trip, he finished sixth in the final that featured one of the most talked about upsets of the season when Intimidate defeated the undefeated European invader Sebastian K. Paid up for 2015 edition of the event, time will tell if fans will see a fourth appearance from the talented trotter.

“Hopefully we can get him back rolling, race him in the Open which won’t be as hard on him. We were taking him all over North America and sooner or later that gets to him. We are hoping to see him racing in the Open in Ontario long term.”

Initially starting back jogging in January after four months off, he experienced a slight setback due to his chronic hoof issues. Gillis felt he needed more time off and the horse has since returned in fine form, progressing well.

“He still wants to be a racehorse,” said Gillis. “We’re being extra cautious with him. I think he has a lot left to offer.”

(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Hannah Beckett)