Coast run to shape Oink’s racing future
STAKES performer Oink begins a career-defining campaign when he resumes at the Gold Coast tomorrow.
Damian Browne will ride Oink in the Benchmark 90 (1200m), part of a bumper 10race card at Aquis Park.
The gelding was considered good enough to run in the 2016 Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill and confirmed that rating with some strong performances during his Queensland winter campaign.
Oink, who is a popular horse because his owners include family and friends of the late jockey Tim Bell, will be having his first run since winning a Class 6 at Doomben on August 12.
Trainer Kelly Schweida said Oink’s campaign would be short but in many ways would define the rest of his career.
“He isn’t a Magic Millions horse so there isn’t a lot for him,” he said. “I will potter along with him and hope to pick up a race here and there.
“I am not exactly sure where he is right at this moment. I have always felt his four-year-old season would be his best.
“I don’t know whether we look at the really big races in the Sydney autumn or come back a cog to the Brisbane winter.
“How he goes this summer will show us which way to take him.”
Oink has had a trial in the lead-up to tomorrow’s race, finishing third at Deagon on December 12.
“He wasn’t asked to do a lot and I was satisfied with his effort,” Schweida said.
“His first-up record is very good so I would hope for a sound effort on Saturday.”
Premier trainer Tony Gollan has shown his increasing confidence in his apprentice Zoe White by giving her two key rides at the Gold Coast.
White joined Gollan about three months ago and has made steady progress to be now riding at Saturday metropolitan meetings. She will have the rides on Plan Red (Class 3 Plate) and Hi I’m Back (Benchmark 90) for Gollan tomorrow.
Hi I’m Back has been racing in stakes company and was just behind the placegetters at his two most recent starts.
“This is a nice race for him and I thought Zoe’s three-kilo claim would help,” he said.