For a quirky horse like Whinchat, keeping him calm is crucial, which is why trainer David Pfeiffer is leaning towards running him in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Also entered for a race at the Sunshine Coast, the five-year-old has his share of quirks—especially at the barriers—making him a challenging ride under pressure.

That was on full display two starts ago in a benchmark 94 event at Randwick when the $3.30 favourite reared at the start, missing it by six lengths before finishing 13th.

“I think the horse is flying,” Pfeiffer said. “It was highly unfortunate he reared in the gates second up because I thought it was his race to win.”

Either side of that performance, Whinchat has gone forward aggressively from wide draws, and Pfeiffer is hoping for a kinder barrier and a more suitable race tempo after finishing less than two lengths off the winner in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m).

“Last start we had four leaders in the race and I thought he put in a very good effort,” Pfeiffer said. “A few of the speed horses I thought might be there (on Saturday) aren’t there, and with his history in the barriers I’d be terrified of travelling interstate.”

Whinchat lost a year of racing due to injury and has taken longer to regain peak condition, something Pfeiffer attributes to both time off and age.

“He came back for a preparation, had two trials and then did a ligament behind his knee. Nothing overly dramatic, but enough for a few months off,” he said.

“We’ve taken it slow, but like all of us, when you’re getting old you hold a bit more weight and it takes a little bit longer to get fitter.”

Pfeiffer says Whinchat recovered well from his last run and worked strongly on Tuesday morning with Jay Ford aboard. “He just needs a bit of breathing time. I think it’s achievable to win a stakes race with him, and the race on Saturday should be right up his alley.”

Whinchat is currently rated a $13 chance in all-in betting markets for the Winter Stakes, with Jay Ford set to continue his association with the gelding.

If you’re looking to back Whinchat or any other runner in the Winter Stakes, be sure to explore the best odds and promotions from Australia’s leading betting agencies via Just Horse Racing’s betting sites guide.