A pleasing jump out at Flemington on Friday morning has rubber stamped a return to the racetrack by Petrology in the Group 3 $150,000 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 25.
Petrology is set to resume in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on July 25. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Friday’s hitout was Petrology’s second jump out in his preparation and co-trainer Tom Dabernig said that the Fastnet Rock colt was ready to resume for the upcoming Spring Carnival after finishing second in the 800m heat.
“He went well, his last 150 metres was quite solid, and he’ll probably kick off in two weeks in the Bletchingly Stakes,” Dabernig told racing.com.
“He jumped out here last week as well and he looks in great order. He had a nice spell, he had that time where we turned him out and gave him a good break, and he’s come back in really good order.”
Petrology rose up through the ranks in the Spring last year to win the Listed $150,000 TCL 4K UHD TV Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on November 6 followed by a win in the Group 2 $300,000 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Sandown on November 15 at the end of the Carnival.
He resumed in the Autumn with a second to Java in the Group 3 $150,000 Manfred Stakes (1300m) at Sandown on January 26 but then found the class too strong at his next two starts.
The three year old was well beaten when ninth to Dissident in the weight for age Group 1 $400,000 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 14 and then was always out the back when twelfth to Wandjina in the Group 1 $500,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 7.
Dabernig trains in partnership with his uncle David Hayes and said that Petrology would get another chance at weight for age as a four year old during the Spring Carnival.
“He’s the sort of horse who, probably between 1400 and a mile is his right distance. He’ll place himself as we go along, but he definitely gives us the impression he’s got a good race in him,” Dabernig said.
“He’s a horse that doesn’t like it too firm, so in early Spring we’ll probably get that lovely ground with a bit of give in it that he likes.”
Petrology is the winner of three of his twelve race starts and has earned $366,300 in prizemoney for his connections.
