Whinchat’s return to form last start has trainer David Pfieffer optimistic the free-rolling frontrunner is on the verge of an overdue stakes race breakthrough.
After doing himself no favours when becoming involved in a speed duel with Phearson first-up in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m), Whinchat worked to cross from an outside draw in the Civic Stakes (1400m) and gave a great sight, holding on to defeat all but winner Midnight Dynamite.
“I was really happy and proud of my bloke’s performance. It’s good to see him show what he can do for us,” Pfieffer said.
“I’d just love to see him win a stakes race. He’s run a couple of placings (in that grade), so hopefully it can come in his next couple of starts.”
Whinchat has seven victories from 20 appearances, and is a two-time winner over the Winter Stakes course and distance.
While he has at times been his own worst enemy with his antics in the starting stalls, when he can enjoy an uncontested lead, he is difficult to run down.
He has fared better in the draw this weekend with barrier eight, while dual state acceptor Midnight Dynamite has gate 11 of 15 at Rosehill, and Pfieffer is hoping that reversal of fortune might be enough to help Whinchat turn the tables.
“When this horse gets out in front and gets his own way, gets unchallenged, he is always going to be hard to run down,” Pfieffer said.
“With the likes of Midnight Dynamite, he got a good gate last start so it allowed him to get a nice run in transit, where drawn a bit wider, he’s got to use himself a bit more mid-race.
“That’s ultimately how races are defined a lot of the time, by barriers. Especially in big fields and we look like getting that on Saturday.”
Whinchat will tackle the Rosehill feature third-up and is also slated to go around in the Winter Challenge (1400m) later this month, before potentially looking to stretch out in distance.
Pfieffer says his long-term focus is on races towards the back end of the year when the cream of the carnival talent is in the spelling paddock.
“We’ll most likely race this Saturday then go around in the Winter Challenge two weeks after,” Pfieffer said.
“Then we’ll consider a country Cup. I’d like to see him out over a mile at some stage.
“There are some nice races later in the year for him. We’re not going to be in the thick of spring or autumn, so we’ve got to go around where he can be most competitive.”
General Salute heads weights for the Winter Challenge with 58.5kg while five horses are on the 53kg minimum, including the emerging Glorious Moments for trainers Jim and Greg Lee.