Barrier concerns but Winter Stakes up Whinchat's alley
The five-year-old gelding, who is also nominated at Sunshine Coast in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1,400m) on July 5, has certain idiosyncrasies, especially in the barriers, that can make things tricky for riders.
His eccentric behaviour was on full show two starts back in the Singapore Pools Handicap, a Benchmark 94 race (1,300m) at Royal Randwick on June 7.
Ridden by regular partner Jay Ford, the 23-10 favourite missed the start by six lengths and elected to come from behind instead, but he did not threaten at all, finishing second-last to the Joseph Pride-trained Headley Grange.
Pfieffer could not hide his disappointment.
"I think the horse is flying," said the New South Wales trainer.
"It was highly unfortunate he reared in the gates second-up because I thought it was his to win."
Three weeks before that underwhelming run, Whinchat led first-up after a 14-month spell, and finished a close second to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained The Instructor in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1,300m) at the Scone Carnival on May 17, when he was drawn in barrier 13.
In fact, the six-time winner has always won by leading, over distances ranging from 1,100m to 1,400m around New South Wales, even if he had to overcome wide draws at two of his wins.
While Whinchat has led at fast tempos from wide barriers, Pfieffer is still hoping the brown gelding can draw better and find a race with less pressure as he leads.
A good example of wide gates being a dampener came when Whinchat was again beaten into fifth by Headley Grange at his last start in the Listed Civic Stakes (1,400m) at Royal Randwick on June 21, albeit by less than two lengths, when he jumped from barrier 16.
"Last start, we had four leaders in the race and I thought he put in a very good effort," said Pfieffer.
"A few of the speed horses I thought might be there (on Saturday) aren't there, and with his history in the barriers, I'd be terrified of travelling interstate."
An injury forced Whinchat to miss a year of racing - after his last win in the Rosehill Bowling Club Benchmark 88 handicap (1,400m) on March 16, 2024 - leading into this campaign, and Pfieffer said he has taken a bit more time to come to hand as an older gelding.
"He came back for a preparation, had two trials and then did a ligament behind his knee. Nothing overly dramatic, but it was just enough to give him a few months off," he said.
"We've taken it slow, but like all of us, when you're getting old, you hold a bit more weight and it takes a little bit longer to get fitter.
"He's come through that tough run well. Jay Ford worked him Tuesday morning on the course proper and he went great, recovered well.
"He just needs a bit of breathing time. I think it's achievable to win a stakes race with him, and the race on Saturday should be right up his alley."
Known for steering one of Australia's most iconic horses, Takeover Target, to victory in the 2008 Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1,200m) at his first ride at Kranji, the Sydney-based Ford has partnered Whinchat in all his six wins.
He will be taking the reins on Whinchat - who is rated a 12-1 chance across all-in markets - again in the Winter Stakes.
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