No one is more aware of the quirks that talented gelding Whinchat possesses than regular jockey Jay Ford.
The hoop best known for his association with globetrotting star Takeover Target has been aboard the David Pfieffer trained gelding for all seven wins and is hopeful of adding an eighth in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The six-year-old gelding has placed once from four attempts at black type level, narrowly beaten by The Instructor in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone in May 2025 but will head into Saturday in career best form.
Whinchat was last seen leading all of the way at Wyong in benchmark 100 company, winning by two lengths, in a performance Ford said was pleasing to see.
“I’ve been with him from day dot,” Ford said/
“He’s been a long process, he’s always shown that ability, but he’s just had his quirks and whatnot.
“That was the first time he’d won in two years, he’s very talented, but he’s got a mind of his own and some days you see the best of him and other days you don’t.
“He got it all down pat really well the other day, so hopefully he can execute like that again, and the Carrington looks a lovely race for him.”
Occasional pre-race antics and barrier mishaps have precluded Whinchat from adding to his tally, and Ford believes the key is limiting the number of runs in his preparation.
“He’s not a horse who can sustain long preparations,” Ford said.
“Once he gets into third up and fourth up, that’s when sort of we start having problems with him barrier-wise.
“From all reports, Dave said he’s pulled through his win the other day very well.
“He’s going to have a break, I’m pretty sure, after his next start. There’s not a lot around for him, so Saturday will be his last run for the preparation.”
Whinchat has drawn barrier 12 of 13 in Saturday’s $200,000 Carrington Stakes and has opened a $3.60 favourite.
