In Brief
- Astute trainer confident Spihro is in right race.
- Weight drop an advantage for rising 11YO.
- Trinder hoping Rubyranger gains start in 1650m maiden/class one.
Astutue trainer Michael Trinder is hoping some weight relief and a drop back in distance are the key ingredients for his war horse Spihro to return to the winner’s circle on his home track in Devonport on Sunday.
Spihro has two starts this time in for minor placings in Devonport with the latest a second over 1650m in a benchmark 60 handicap in which he carried 64kg but was beaten under a length.
His first-up effort was a third over 1350m in the same grade he tackles on Sunday.
“He comes back in with a reasonable weight for him at 61kg and back to 1350m also is a plus,” Trinder said.
“He is an old war horse and I thought he was very brave last start carrying 64 kilograms, so he should be very competitive on Sunday and definitely a very good place chance.”
Trinder also has accepted with Rubyranger in a maiden over 1150 metres, which he says might be too short for the daughter of Bushranger.
However, he is hoping the mare gains a start in race three, a maiden-class one over 1650m, in which she is the second emergency
“I thought the mare’s first-up run was very plain (1150m) because I expected her to be very competitive but, in the end, she looked like she wanted further, at least 1350m.
“I took her to the trials last Tuesday and she won over 1350m so that was a good indicator.
“My preference for Sunday would for her to gain a start in the maiden-class one over 1650m but otherwise we will hope for the best if she runs over the shorter trip.”
Watch Spihro finish second at his most recent outing in Devonport.