A pleasing trial performance on Friday was enough to convince trainer Peter Snowden consistent gelding Pinwheel is ready to go into Friday night’s Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley as a genuine winning chance.

Peter Snowden is confident about Pinwheel's chances in the Australia Stakes on Friday night. Photo by: Steve Hart.

The seven-year-old has only recently returned to work following a brief break after a fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth on November 24.

Snowden was happy to hold off with the winner of $1.1 million in prizemoney if required but left the trial with a positive mindset heading towards Friday night’s feature.

“I went there with an open mind, for me he had to trial very well to go there because we did have options back in Sydney,” Snowden told Sky Sports Radio.

“I really needed to see him trial well and I thought he did.

“He was very sharp in his trial…he’s one of those horses that doesn’t need a lot of work to get him fit.”

A stable favourite, the Lonhro gelding never spends too much time out of work and is coming off a highly successful spring campaign.

Snowden freely admits Pinwheel will never be a genuine Group 1 horse but in lower level Group races he is an honest and successful competitor.

He demonstrated that during the early stages of the spring with strong victories in both the Group 3 Missile Stakes and the Group 2 Warwick Stakes.

Also resuming for the Darley team soon is Australian Guineas contender Albrecht who was runner-up to stablemate Epaulette in the Golden Rose in September.

“He’s having a jump-out at Flemington on Friday morning,” Snowden said.

“He’s in good order. He’s come along really well, he’s a lot stronger.

“He’s there for the Guineas.”

Albrecht will kick off his campaign in the Listed Manfred Stakes (1200m) on February 2 with the eventual goal of the Guineas taking place on March 2 at Flemington.