Istolea Merc is set to return to racing after a break since its last start in early December. All reports say the gelding has not raced again following a performance where it ran home to earn a placing in the Mudgee Cup over 1400 metres. The outlets describe the comeback as an attempt to re-establish form after time away from the track, with the framing centered on performance expectations and outside views on how it will fare upon return. While the sources provide the same core detail about its most recent outing and the length of its spell, they do not add further specifics in the excerpts provided, such as its next race, trainer comments, betting movements, or additional results from other recent starts. Overall, the accounts align that the horse is returning to competition for a comeback run, following a qualifying outing in the Mudgee Cup in early December where it finished strongly.