The Geoff Duryea trained Front Page and News Girl back from injury enforced layoff

The Geoff Duryea-trained galloper was second favourite for the lucrative $1.3-million feature last year.

However, the star three-year-old was scratched the day before the race after suffering an injury in a float mishap shortly after departing Duryea's stables enroute to Sydney.

Duryea's vet inspected the horse and delivered the gut-wrenching news to connections that Front Page wouldn't be able to take his place in the $1.3-million feature.

Now a four-year-old, Front Page has been off the scene since that mishap but returned to Duryea's stable last month with The Kosciuszko confirmed as his main spring target.

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"He's had a few weeks on the treadmill and water walker," Duryea told Racing.com.

"It'll be great to see him back at the stables.

''He's ready to go and I can't wait.

"It was breaking my heart when I'd walk past looking at him in the paddock."

Star stablemate News Girl is also nominated for The Kosciuszko and is well in the market at $15.

News Girl hasn't raced since May last year after injuring a tendon and undergoing surgery.

"She had stem cell treatment on a tendon," he said.

"She has the all-clear too so she's back to work as well.

"Touch wood, they will be both up and firing in the coming weeks."

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