Justin Stanley isn’t sure if he has made the right choice but will stick by his decision to ride Vigneron in the Orana Mutual `Dandy Cup’ at Narromine on Saturday.
Stanley could have ridden Padgino, who is also trained by Michael Mulholland at Dubbo, in the 1600m event.
Stable apprentice Sarah Trebley will take the reins on Padgino who won at Grenfell two starts ago before finishing second last time out at Bathurst.
“It (Grenfell) was the first time we have got him up to 2000 metres this campaign and he ran quite well last start,” Mulholland’s wife Melissa said.
“There isn’t much between the two horses. Justin rides both and found it hard to pick but he has elected to go with Vigneron.
“Our stable apprentice Sarah knows both horses well and her three-kilogram claim will mean Padgino carries only 52 kilograms.
“The light weight may be to his advantage.”
Stanley feels there may be more upside to Vigneron who is coming off a last-start eighth to Altonio in the Coonamble Cup.
The quick six-day back up will help Vigneron who also won three starts ago at Dubbo with Stanley in the saddle.
“Justin thought Vigneron needed the run last week which is understandable because it has been hard to have the horses 100 per cent with all the wet weather up here,” Mulholland said.
“On the other hand, Padgino is super fit but is coming back in distance.
“He can be a bit slow to get going but once he gets going and finds the front he is hard to get past.
“Vigneron tries hard all of the time and will keep giving until the end.”
The veteran of the field at 10 years of age, Padgino is well placed with a light weight against seven rivals who have been racing at the same level.
AAP TURF