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Iamishwara’s road to recovery has proved to be a testing one for the Group One winner’s connections.

The Awapuni seven-year-old has been side-lined for more than a year after he suffered a torn suspensory ligament.

“Iamishwara doesn’t like taking breaks – every day he just wants to work and this is the first time he’s ever had this long off,” said Nicky Kaye, who races the son of Keeninsky with her husband and trainer Tony.

“He’s been a bit of a difficult patient, but he’s done well and the injury has been scanned three times and every time it has improved.

“He just wants to be a racehorse and he’s got a huge heart so he’s strong enough to come back.”

Iamishwara was the winner of the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic and the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup during his last preparation through the summer and autumn of 2015.

“Tony has put an awful lot of time into the horse and hopefully he will be at the trials on December 13 and he’ll be back racing after Christmas,” Kaye said.

“He’s had a couple of quiet run alongs so at this stage we’re very happy with him. He’s been pulling Tony’s arms off.

“The first time he went to the track after 12 months away he just stood there and thought he was 18 hands tall.”

An $8000 Festival Sale purchase at Karaka in 2011, Iamishwara has proved a terrific money-spinner for the Kayes with his 12 wins and 16 placings taking his earnings to nearly $410,000.

Their boutique stable also enjoyed recent success with Chispa de la Vida, a half-sister by Keeper to the dual Group One winner Tarzino.

“That was her first time in blinkers and she’s pulled up really well,” Kaye said.