Whinchat’s recent resurgence in form has trainer David Pfieffer feeling confident that the fast-starting gelding is on the cusp of a long-awaited stakes race win.
After compromising his first-up run in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) by engaging in a speed battle with Phearson, Whinchat made ground from a wide gate in the Civic Stakes (1400m). He led for a significant portion, ultimately finishing second to the winner Midnight Dynamite.
“I was really happy and proud of my bloke’s performance. It’s good to see him show what he can do for us,” Pfieffer stated. “I’d just love to see him win a stakes race. He’s run a couple of placings (in that grade), so hopefully it can come in his next couple of starts.”
The gelding has secured seven wins from 20 starts and has previously won twice over the Winter Stakes course and distance. While his pre-race antics in the starting stalls have sometimes been an issue, when allowed to dictate terms in front, he proves exceptionally difficult to reel in.
This weekend, Whinchat has drawn barrier eight, a more favourable position compared to dual state acceptor Midnight Dynamite, who will start from gate 11 in the 15-horse field at Rosehill. Pfieffer is hopeful this shift in luck with the barriers might enable Whinchat to reverse the previous result.
“When this horse gets out in front and gets his own way, gets unchallenged, he is always going to be hard to run down,” Pfieffer remarked. “With the likes of Midnight Dynamite, he got a good gate last start so it allowed him to get a nice run in transit, where drawn a bit wider, he’s got to use himself a bit more mid-race. That’s ultimately how races are defined a lot of the time, by barriers. Especially in big fields and we look like getting that on Saturday.”
Whinchat enters the Rosehill feature race third-up and is also scheduled to compete in the Winter Challenge (1400m) later this month, with potential consideration for longer distances thereafter. Pfieffer’s primary focus is on races towards the year’s end, when the top-tier carnival horses are in the spelling paddock.
“We’ll most likely race this Saturday then go around in the Winter Challenge two weeks after,” Pfieffer confirmed. “Then we’ll consider a country Cup. I’d like to see him out over a mile at some stage. There are some nice races later in the year for him. We’re not going to be in the thick of spring or autumn, so we’ve got to go around where he can be most competitive.”
General Salute carries the top weight of 58.5kg for the Winter Challenge, with five runners, including the promising Glorious Moments trained by Jim and Greg Lee, set to carry the minimum 53kg.
Punters can find competitive racing odds for Whinchat’s next start at Australian betting sites.
