Murray Bridge horseman David Aldridge admits the challenge of placing his reliable sprinter Chicago Storm is becoming more complicated with every run.
The six-year-old, regarded by Aldridge as possibly the best horse he has prepared in three decades, will chase another black-type victory in Saturday’s Listed Christmas Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville.
Aldridge says the gelding is thriving as a short-course performer this campaign, a trend that may dictate his future racing pattern.
Chicago Storm’s lone Stakes triumph came in the Listed City Of Adelaide Handicap (1527m) last year, complementing a Group 3 placing over a mile.
“He’s come back in really good form this prep,” Aldridge said.
“He should have won last start, and we should really be three out of four for this prep.
“We’ve been keeping him to sprinting, mainly due to a lack of races over here for him, so we’ve kept at the 1200 metres and just trained him accordingly.”
Chicago Storm’s rising rating has seen him lump 59.5kg on Saturday as topweight.
“His rating now virtually means we can only run him at Carnival times, in Listed races and that type of thing, but it’s better than having a horse that is too slow,” Aldridge said.
The trainer is eyeing a freshen-up following Saturday with a possible tilt at the Listed City Of Marion Stakes, before progressing into Adelaide’s major racing carnivals.
He says Chicago Storm’s sprinting profile may even prompt a look at The Goodwood should his form justify it.
“He’s probably better around the 1200 metres and 1400 metres, but there’s no 1400-metre races at Morphettville and none on the Parks track for his class,” Aldridge said.
Interstate travel remains a sticking point, however, with the gelding historically disliking Melbourne campaigns.
“I’ve taken him over twice, but he’s not the best traveller… by the time you get him home again, you’ve virtually got to pull up stumps,” he said.