Site crafted and built by Kick Collective
Source: racenet.com.au
Pinhole has champion trainer Chris Waller set to consider a range of viable options including the Geelong Cup, Moonee Valley Gold Cup and potentially Caulfield Cup.
Pinhole arrived in time to win Caulfield Cup-qualifying Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on Saturday from Suntora and 2024 Melbourne Cup star Knight’s Choice.
The winner clocked in 2:27.09 – the third quickest Herbert Power since 2007 and two seconds faster than the average Caulfield Cup on a Good 3 the past 15 years.
Only Yucatan (2018) and Big Memory (2014) went faster than Pinhole in the Herbert Power aided by heady early fractions by unplaced leader Campaldino.
Waller deferred Caulfield Cup options to “let the dust settle” despite the golden ticket.
“I would be leaning more towards being more conservative from a timing perspective,” Waller said.
“Everyone wants to win Caulfield Cups, but whether you can is another story. If we can get to a Melbourne Cup, that might be a real fairytale story.
“Owners want to be part of the big race if they are going to be competitive.
“We’ll factor out what he beat today and how competitive he will be.”
Pinhole has won five of 15 starts going from a 1900m Benchmark 88 in Sydney to Group 2 winner in two weeks.
“It was an important day today for this horse’s future,” Waller said.
“The market got it right. I was surprised to see him one of the favourites in a set weights and penalties race. He was sort of out of his grade.
“He dug deep and looked beaten with 50m to go. He was strong the last 50 when he probably got headed.
“I’ll have a talk with the owners. (Caulfield Cup) Unlikely. The Caulfield Cup will be stronger than today and the Melbourne Cup might see him improve (up to 3200m).”
Pinhole has firmed into $17 for the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
WALLER’S TRICKSTER TOO CLASSY
Sequinned was an awkward ride for star jockey James McDonald but the filly had plenty in hand when it mattered in the Thoroughbred Club Plate (1200m).
Trainer Chris Waller said Sequinned ($2.80 fav) had her quirks but improving “two per cent every month”, resulting in a comfortable 2½-length win over Jacaranda ($71).
“She’s not an easy horse to ride,” Waller said.
“He (McDonald) may have made it look easy, but she’s a real trickster.
“She’s got a lovely future, if she just continues to learn and adapt to racing she’ll have a bit more up her sleeve when she does all of that right.”