Trainer Peter Snowden has given the all clear for Pinwheel to run in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot even though the seven year old missed the Breakfast With The Stars trackwork session yesterday.
Trainer Peter Snowden is confident Pinwheel will be fit to run in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Snowden will give Pinwheel an extra day to get over his trip from Melbourne to Perth but is confident the Lonhro gelding will be fit to take his place in the Group 1 weight for age sprint on Carlton Draught Super Saturday.
“There’s no issue. As long as he works well he’ll be there Saturday,” Snowden said.
“Soundness-wise he’s 100 per cent and I just wanted to give him another day to get over the trip.
“He’ll do a bit of fast work on the grass on his own. I’m not going to work him with a mate, he works too strong and I don’t want to gut-bust him.”
Snowden decided to miss the Breakfast With The Stars session after Pinwheel failed to lick out his feed bin on Monday night to make sure he is right to continue his search for that elusive Group 1 victory.
“He’s running out of chances to win a Group 1 but he could race until nine or 10,” Snowden said.
“There’s good speed in the race – enough so that they will sort themselves out. If it’s set up for a swooper, hopefully he can get a good spot in running.”
Pinwheel came up with barrier eight in the ten horse field and jockey Kerrin McEvoy will be able to slot him in just behind the leaders.
Pinwheel has struggled at Group 1 level in the eastern states but has saluted in Group 2 and 3 company throughout his career.
Snowden produces Pinwheel to score first up in the Group 3 $125,000 McGrath Missile Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on August 11 and followed that up with a win in the Group 2 $175,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on August 25.
Pinwheel has been freshened up since his latest attempt at Group 1 level when caught wide and failed to run on when seventh to Moment Of Change in the $400,000 Clamms Seafood Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 30.
Snowden in banking on Pinwheel delivering the top trainer’s first Group 1 win in Perth after going close last year with Rarefied who was beaten one length by international Group 1 winning mare Ortensia.
Pinwheel is a $9 chance to win his first Group 1 race with local sprinter Barakey heading the betting at $2.25 in front of the other promising local Travinator and the Gai Waterhouse trained Hallowell Belle at $5.
Darley’s number one trainer is also represented by Academus in the Group 2 $350,000 Sky Racing-W.A. Guineas (1600m) for three year olds.
Snowden went back to the basics with Academus this preparation after the Lonhro gelding performed creditably as a two year old during the Brisbane Winter Carnival when third to Sizzling in the Group 1 $500,000 Patinack Farm T J Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.
A Hawkesbury maiden was on the agenda for Academus first up this preparation and after easily accounting for that Snowden sent the three year old to Melbourne to compete in harder company when fourth to Eximius in the Listed $150,000 Hilton Hotels Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Academus drew around the middle of the field at barrier seven and is on the second line of betting in the Guineas at $5 behind joint favourites Luke’s Luck and Antique Belle at $3.50.
