Greg Eurell has used the last three weeks to increase Pinker Pinker’s workload and have her ready to take on gun filly Brazilian Pulse at Rosehill on Saturday.
Eurell is confident the in-form Pinker Pinker has had the right grounding for her first attempt at 2000m in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes, a race which includes the VRC Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse and brilliant last-start winner Do Ra Mi.
Pinker Pinker hasn’t raced for three weeks since she overcame some difficulties in the straight to defeat the mares in the Group Three Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) at Flemington.
“She hasn’t missed a beat since her last-start win,” Eurell said.
“She leads into this race very, very well and the three weeks between runs has probably been very suitable, especially with the gap from the 1600 metres to the 2000 metres.
“It has enabled us to put a little bit more work into her and her work has been lifted progressively enough and has been very comfortable. She heads up to Sydney in great shape.”
Pinker Pinker, one of 11 acceptors on Wednesday for the Vinery Stud Stakes, is set to travel from Victoria on Wednesday night with Eurell sticking to a routine he has used successfully in previous interstate missions with Apache Cat and Mic Mac.
A first-up third in the Kevin Hayes Stakes this preparation has been followed by wins in the Group Two Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) and Schweppervescence Trophy.
Eurell pulled the pin on an VRC Oaks preparation in the spring but is hoping Pinker Pinker can prove herself over a trip this time around.
“It was probably a plus for her because she went out and had a real good spell and this time she’s just come in and been terrific,” he said.
On Wednesdays and Fridays at Cranbourne horses work the reverse way so Eurell has no concerns about Pinker Pinker tackling Sydney racing for the first time.
His only reservation is the unknown of 2000 metres, but said her breeding suggests she could cope.
“You have got to be a little bit apprehensive on that (distance) factor but leading into her last run over a mile I had no doubt in my mind she would run well, and she leads into this very well in herself,” the trainer said.
“If she runs up to what she’s been doing and she handles the distance, we should be in there with a fighting chance for sure.”
AAP TURF
