Trainer David Pfieffer is keeping his expectations measured as unpredictable sprinter Whinchat resumes in Sunday’s TAB Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.

The six-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing unplaced in the Winter Stakes (1400m) in July, rounding out a preparation that mixed a Listed placing at Scone with inconsistent efforts — a pattern Pfieffer knows all too well.

A barrier rogue and a horse whose mindset often determines his performance, Whinchat remains something of an enigma.

“Ask me after the race and we’ll find out,” Pfieffer said.

“We have done so much work on him, and it hasn’t made a difference.

But he is working great. His trials have been super. Speed is usually the key thing for him. If he can get to the front on his own, he is going to always be a danger.”

Whinchat has drawn wide in a capacity field but will start from barrier 11 if emergencies don’t run — a setup Pfieffer believes suits him. The gelding is unbeaten in five first-up attempts.

Pfieffer also unveiled a promising three-year-old in Ice Kool, who led throughout to win impressively on debut at Warwick Farm. The Zoustar gelding will be aimed at the Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) on January 10.

“He has shown us he’s got ability. He is going to go through his grades quickly and there’s a three-year-old race at the Gold Coast that might catch our attention,” Pfieffer said.

“The Sunlight is what I’m eyeing off. He’s just needed time to mature and the time we have given him has worked out in our favour.”