An inside draw and a return to the Melbourne way of going is expected to favour Aleppo Pine when he steps out at Caulfield.
James Cummings and the Godolphin team has elected to start Aleppo Pine in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield rather than the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“At the end of the day, he just needed the softer draw out for the two races,” Cummings said.
“This is quite a strong little race and not much easier than the Kindergarten, but he’s got the softer draw, and he might just act a little better on his Melbourne leg at this stage of his career.”
The Redoute’s Choice Stakes is down to a field of six following the scratchings of Boa Vista and Skjaldmo on Friday morning.
Aleppo Pine made an impressive debut winning at Ballarat in December and was being set for the Blue Diamond Series at Caulfield.
Off the back of an imposing Caulfield Heath jump-out in January, Aleppo Pine was sent out favourite in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 8, finishing a fading fifth after leading.
Aleppo Pine was returned to Sydney where he had little luck finishing seventh in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) on March 8 at his most recent outing.
In preparation for Saturday’s outing, Aleppo Pine had a trial at Hawkesbury on March 25.
“He’s had a soft trial since his somewhat luckless effort in the Todman, where he got his momentum impeded which was not ideal,” Cummings said.
“Dropping back to 1100 metres is also looking good. He’s a quick colt and from the soft draw I’d like to see him show the foot he showed first-up last year.”
“It would be good to see him get back on the board, and to win Stakes race would be ideal.”
Jye Mcneil, who was aboard Aleppo Pine in his debut win at Ballarat, regains the ride on Saturday.
