Trinder says Bolt can fly

SPREYTON trainer Adam Trinder is banking on a track upgrade at Caulfield today where his last-start Launceston winner Silver Bolt will tackle a benchmark 78 handicap over 1200m.

Silver Bolt can handle rainaffected ground, though at his only try on a heavy track in Launceston he didn’t handle the conditions and finished nearer to last. The Caulfield track was a heavy eight yesterday, but with no rain forecast overnight or today Trinder is hoping for a firmer surface.

“Even if the track stays rated a heavy eight he should be OK provided it is an even surface,” Trinder said.

“It’s only when the track is bottomless like it was on Launceston Cup day last year that causes him concern.”

Silver Bolt ventured to Melbourne for two races over the Christmas-New Year period just gone and while unplaced in both he gained a lot from the experience.

The gelding travelled to Melbourne by sea on Tuesday night and according to his trainer the horse travelled well and settled in nicely at Patrick Payne’s stables.

He will be ridden by apprentice Boris Thornton, who has partnered the gelding to six of his eight wins. His 3kg claim should further enhance the gelding’s winning chances.

“The horse has a lot going for him this time because he’s travelled well and he is race fit,” Trinder said.

“So provided he handles the track I am expecting him to be very competitive.”

The event boasts a full field of 14 and one thing in Silver Bolt’s favour is that there appears to be a lot of natural speed in the race.

“With so much good early speed in this race I expect my horse to be able to go forward from an awkward barrier [11] and find a nice spot handy to the leaders.

“He is dropping back from 1400m to 1200m but I think that is in his favour.”

While Silver Bolt will be waving the Tasmanian flag at Caulfield today, Tasmanianowned gelding Kenjorwood will be trying to win at his first start in South Australia.

Kenjorwood will line up in the City of Adelaide Handicap, a $110,000 Listed race over his pet distance of 1400m.

The Darren Weir-trained gelding has won 10 and been placed 17 times from 49 starts for $700,000 in stakes.

The gelded son of Snippetson is the equal top-rated horse in the race with his stablemate Killarney Kid, who is resuming from a spell. He won three in succession before heading to the paddock in September last year.