Pinhole has earned a place in the Caulfield Cup following his victory in the Herbert Power Stakes. However, the Chris Waller-trained galloper is more likely to be pointed towards a different staying challenge.
The imported horse claimed the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on Saturday, with connections swiftly turning their attention to the following week’s Caulfield Cup.
However, Waller indicated a more measured approach, suggesting a path through the Geelong Cup, Moonee Valley Cup, or Bendigo Cup towards the Melbourne Cup.
Sent off as the $3.70 favourite with James McDonald in the saddle, Pinhole triumphed in a close finish, defeating Suntora ($26) by a short-half-head. Knight’s Choice ($7) secured third place, a short-head further back.
Pinhole is eligible for a rehandicap in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3, where he currently carries 51kg and sits equal 66th in the Order of Entry.
“I’ll have a talk to the owners, but it is (the Caulfield Cup) unlikely,” Waller stated.
“The Caulfield Cup will be stronger than today, and the Melbourne Cup might see him improve going to two miles. Everyone wants to win Caulfield Cups, but whether you can is another story. If we can get to a Melbourne Cup, that might be a real fairytale story. We might try and find a path heading that way, but we will have to talk to the owners and the handicapper.”
Pinhole was acquired from Tattersalls Sale in the UK last year and competed in Sydney during the autumn and winter, achieving a win at Randwick in June.
This current campaign saw Pinhole return with a third-place finish over 1600m at Randwick before winning over 1800m at the same track last month.
“One thing he was, he was good at the weights today,” Waller commented.
“The set-weights and penalties were against him. He’s ruined his benchmark, but he’s proven himself as a set-weights and penalties style horse. It was an important day today for this horse’s future and where he heads. The market got it right. I was surprised to see him one of the favourites in a set weights and penalties race as he was sort of out of his grade.”
Waller highlighted that the most satisfying aspect of Pinhole’s Saturday victory was the horse’s straight running in the home stretch.
“In Sydney he wanted to lay in, and it almost cost him last start,” Waller recalled.
“Going straight, here in Melbourne, was the most impressive thing to me.”
Considering Pinhole’s strong performance and Caulfield Cup eligibility, punters are looking at the available racing odds.
Check out the latest Australian betting sites for your wagers.
