Speed machine: sprint record-holder Stone Of Folca returns to action

Usain Bolt. Jason Kenny. Stone Of Folca.

The fastest man in the world is currently limbering up for his date with destiny in London next month and the fastest man on two wheels is on his usual three-and-a-half-year hiatus between Olympics. It's a good thing the world's fastest horse is back in action on Sunday.

Stone Of Folca, who runs in the 6f handicap (4.30) at Redcar, is the record holder at five furlongs, having clocked 53.69 seconds when winning the 2012 Dash at Epsom. Fresh from channeling his inner Kenny and taking a two-year break to try, among other things, the equine equivalent of dancing with the stars, he is back to do what he does best.

Such is the nine-year-old's zest for being back in a racing yard, new trainer Lucinda Egerton's biggest worry is getting him to post. He simply wants to get everywhere at a million miles an hour.

"He's just a dude, he's a delight to have and an absolute character," was the assessment of his proud trainer on Saturday.

"He's grand, he's a bit of a machine and he's massive, he looks well."

On his chances of making a winning return and taking his career record to three wins on his 31st start, Egerton added: "He's as well as I can get him without a run, but two years off is a long time –especially at his age.

"I've done as much as I can at home, so as long as we can get him to post – that's the main worry – then he should run well. If they get too much rain we may have to reassess; there are a few races for him next week."

Injury meant the former John Best-trained Stone Of Folca's last racecourse appearance was in May 2015, but after a promising rehab involving plenty of dressage he was put back in training with Egerton in February.

"We've had him a while and we took our time building him up and getting to know him, and then we had a problem with chlorine in the water that caused the horses to not finish off their races so we waited.

"They seem to have turned the corner recently so we thought we'd get him out and see what we've got and see if he can still do it on the track," said Egerton.

She added: "He seems to have really enjoyed being back in a racing yard and it's small here and he gets plenty of attention from all the girls, which he loves.

"He's owned by a big gaggle called the Northern Belles so he'll be in his element and hopefully can give them a reason to keep the champagne flowing."

4.30 Redcar card