In recent seasons, Pinstriped has been a regular competitor in the late winter weight-for-age races.
However, following an extended break after his spring campaign last year, Pinstriped is set to aim for a fitness advantage over his spring rivals when he contests the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
For the past three years, trainer Enver Jusufovic has initiated Pinstriped’s spring campaign in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, scheduled for next month.
Jusufovic is again planning to target that race, where Pinstriped has previously finished second twice and seventh last year. This time, however, the Cranbourne-based horseman wanted the gelding to have an earlier run.
Pinstriped hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham in December, but he has completed two jump-outs in preparation for his Saturday appearance.
Jusufovic granted Pinstriped a more substantial break after last year’s spring, feeling the gelding was not performing at his best.
“Physically, I thought he was in great shape, he just didn’t really come up,” Jusufovic commented.
“He was hesitant to go into the barriers on most occasions and then slow out and was getting that pair further back than you would have liked.
“I made the effort to give him a long break. He had a good four months, and I thought I would work him a little bit different this time, more from a sprinting mould and he’s come back really nice and bright.
“His action is good, his back is brilliant, I couldn’t be happier with it, and you see him rolling all-the-time now.
“He does a lot of dressage and is leading on his right leg and he’s done so much of it, he could go to a show.”
Pinstriped experiences ‘kissing spine’ issues, prompting Jusufovic to utilise dressage rather than opt for surgery.
Jusufovic explained that the dressage work functions as conditioning, analogous to human gym workouts, for developing the hindquarters of horses.
“With dressage, you are getting them to use their body properly,” Jusufovic said.
“He’s using his hind quarter which builds them up, so it is a bit similar to gym work where you do the exercises properly to build those areas.”
Jusufovic has not outlined any plans beyond the P B Lawrence Stakes, preferring to evaluate Pinstriped’s performance on Saturday and in his subsequent outing.
“Lachie Neindorf trialled him last week and was of the opinion to keep him on the fresh side and he suggested 1400 (metres) first-up,” Jusufovic relayed.
“This race came up and while he’s got 62 kilos, he’s a big horse and can carry it.
“He probably deserves the weight and it’s a good time to kick him off, nice and early, and after this run, he can have a week off.
“He can go to the P B Lawrence but after that, nothing’s set in concrete and it all depends on each performance, keep him fresh, rather than go two weeks, two weeks, two weeks.
“It appears there’s a bit more depth in the Group 1 ranks this year, so we can pick what we want to do.
“Hopefully I don’t have the same prep I had with him last time, otherwise there might not be another prep with him.”
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