Blake Shinn is happy with the condition of Pornichet ahead of the 2015 Warwick Stakes, but the leading hoop admits that he is not sure where the Doomben Cup winner will end up in the early stages of the race that will be held at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Pornichet will return to the races in the 2015 Warwick Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Pornichet has shown a degree of tactical versatility since he made his Australian racing debut with a fourth place finish in the Group 3 Yellowglen Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day, but he has drawn towards the outside of the 2015 Warwick Stakes field in barrier ten, which could limit Shinn’s options when the gates fly in four hours.
“It is an intriguing race and the barrier trial isn’t ideal especially for a horse resuming with the calibre of Pornichet,” Shinn told Sky Racing HQ.
“He isn’t the easiest horse to ride because he has the tendency to over race especially in the early parts of his campaign, so I haven’t worked out exactly what I am going to do and I haven’t had the chance to talk to Gai (Waterhouse).
“Once I do that we will a bit more of an idea of what I am going to do, but it is exciting to have a horse like this back.”
While Shinn is worried about the barrier draw, he has no such concerns with the physical condition of Pornichet and he believes that the imported galloper is ready to run well in the 2015 Warwick Stakes this weekend.
Shinn said that he was happy with the two barrier trial performances produced by Pornichet at Royal Randwick on July 20 and July 31 and he is confident that the Vespone entire’s fitness levels are where they need to be at this stage of his preparation.
“He is on a Cox Plate path and he is one of the most exciting horses heading towards the spring,” Shinn said.
“I am very happy with the way that he is going.
“He has trialed nicely, he is a big gross horse and he is fully furnished now.
“I haven’t done a lot of work with him recently, but the reports are that he is going very well and he is starting to reach some good fitness levels.
“All signs are that he is going great and he is ready to run a big race today.”
Pornichet is currently available at 2015 Warwick Stakes odds of $6.50 with Ladbrokes and he is on the fifth line of betting behind Kermadec ($4.60), Burbero ($5.50), Royal Descent ($5.50) and It’s Somewhat ($5.50).
