Preparatory races leading up to the coveted Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival kick off at Caulfield this weekend, and one of the country’s leading horseman Peter Snowden is considering a Bletchingly Stakes run for Pinwheel.
Peter Snowden is considering the Bletchingly Stakes as the first-up run for Pinwheel
Winner of the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 25, Lonhro gelding Pinwheel has been in ultra consistent form their entire career.
A rising six-year-old, Pinwheel has started 22 times to date for nine wins and 10 minor placings earning his Darley Racing connections over $690,000 in prize money.
Pinwheel boasts a handful of stakes wins and has once been tested at elite level when they ran a close third to Lone Rock and Crystal Lily in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in May.
Despite their good form, Snowden has never set Pinwheel on a Melbourne Spring Carnival campaign, but is hoping this year may be the time.
“He’s a good, honest horse and has done a good job,” Snowden said.
Snowden is looking at this Saturday’s $125,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) as a possible first-up run for Pinwheel following their month in the paddock.
“I’m not sure,” Snowden said when asked if Pinwheel was a definite Bletchingly Stakes starter.
“I want to have a good look at it first.
“I have the Missile as a back-up the following week.
“The Bletchingly and the Missile are both weight-for-age races, I just want to run him where I think he’s best placed.”
The $125,000 Group 3 Missile Stakes (1200m) takes place at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse Saturday week, August 6.
If accepted in the 2011 Bletchingly Stakes field, Pinwheel will face the likes of Gary Portelli’s well-travelled galloper Gold Trail and the Mark Young-trained veteran Secret Flyer who won the Listed Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at the Caulfield track a fortnight ago.
The Bletchingly would be Pinwheel’s second start at Caulfield, the horse having impressed when carting a heft 60kg to victory in the $100,000 Pink Ribbon Cup (1200m) there in March.
Final acceptances and the Bletchingly Stakes barrier draw will be released on Wednesday.
