Having a fit, honest horse with a liking for a wet track, Richard Cully came up with a plan that he hoped would land him a first stakes race victory.
But fine weather and a drier than expected track has dented Cully’s hopes with Pintoff in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
A winner of five of his nine starts, Pintoff will be tackling stakes company for the time on Saturday, coming off a last start win in a 1200m benchmark 84 grade race at Caulfield in June.
“There isn’t a lot around for him to be honest,” Cully said.
“He’s coming up through his grades and I just thought we might have a chance, before all the hotshots get going for the spring, of sneaking one.
“I was hoping the track would be a bit softer, but I see it’s a Good 4 already.
“So, my genius plan is not really going to plan.”
Cully is not allowing his expectations to get too high on Saturday, although a top three finish would be a win-win for all concerned.
And Cully is hoping a liking for Caulfield, where Pintoff has raced three times for two wins and a second, will aid his chances.
“Carrying 54kg he’ll give them something to run down, but there’s probably a few that are too good, but he’s very fit and in good form,” Cully said.
“I’d love for him to finish in the top three.
“A friend of mine bought the sister Raktoff. She’s in foal to Ringadingding, so it would be a little help to her if he could run top three.”
Unless successful on Saturday, Cully is likely to pull up stumps for the spring and return for an autumn and winter campaign next year.
“I’d love to have a shot at the Wangoom with him,” Cully said.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au