More than just bragging rights will be on the line for emerging Perth speedster Travinator in Saturday’s Group One Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.
An interstate sprint campaign also beckons next year, if the winner of seven of his nine starts measures up to his toughest test.
Trainer Daniel Pearce confirmed he was looking to campaign Travinator in the eastern states and follow the trail blazed by the likes of Miss Andretti, Hay List and Scenic Blast who all began their careers in Perth.
The presence of a trio of well-credentialled interstate raiders in the Winterbottom – Darley’s Pinwheel, Hallowell Belle for Gai Waterhouse and Queenslander Spirit Of Boom – will provide a useful measuring stick for Pearce and Jim Taylor, trainer of local star and favourite Barakey.
“It will give both me and Jim a good gauge on where the horses are at, looking forward towards a possible trip east,” Pearce said.
“We will know where we stand.
“(Perth trainer) Dan Morton did it with Scenic Blast, Miss Andretti went over and Hay List.
“We’ve had some nice sprinters come out of here who have gone on.”
Travinator has won his past four starts by a combined total of more than 14 lengths.
They were all over 1000m and he failed at his only attempt at the Winterbottom distance of 1200m, but Pearce said Travinator had valid excuses that day when he pulled up sore.
“And the way he has won his past few, I don’t think another 200 metres will be a problem,” he said.
Pearce regards the undefeated Barakey as the toughest to beat despite his outside gate in the field of 10.
Travinator has the rails and the services of big race jockey Glen Boss.
Pearce hopes Boss might also be able to assess Travinator’s potential for an interstate campaign.
The trainer-jockey duo will also combine in the Group Two WA Guineas (1600m) with filly Keeper Quiet.
