Rising star back following near-death experience

FIVE months after almost losing his life, Fighter Command will return to racing on Saturday night.

Set to contest the $2.1million The Eureka at Club Menangle last September, Fighter Command missed his spot in the slot race after suffering a severe bout of colic.

Thankfully vets were able to save the Jess Tubbs-trained gelding, which was given a lengthy spell to recover.

Slowly worked back to fitness, Fighter Command will head to Menangle this weekend to compete in The Paleface Adios Stake, which doubles as a qualifier for next week's Chariots Of Fire.

"It was touch and go, but we are grateful he was able to pull through," Tubbs' husband, Greg Sugars, said. "They had to open him up and untangle his intestine, but luckily nothing had to be cut out.

"There is always still a risk that once they have a bad colic attack they can be somewhat prone to do it again, but so far he is a picture of health."

To be driven by Sugars, Fighter Command faces a daunting task in the $50,000 feature.

Not only is the son of Always B Miki first-up since August 31, he will be pitted against the strongest field he has met from a tough draw.

"He is going to be up against it given the various circumstances, but he deserves his chance at it," Sugars said. "We sought of ran out of time with him as we had to tread warily.

"When we looked at the program we thought all going well we'll have time to give him a lead-up race, but that didn't work out as planned.

"He has had two descent trials and his work has been sharp, but it would have been nice to have a race given they are most likely going to run a sub 1:50 mile, which he hasn't experienced

"We were also hoping for a good draw but that hasn't worked out as he has to come from the outside of the front."