Splintex To Follow Group One Autumn Path

Racing Online - Horse Racing News - Australian Horse Racing News - Splintex To Follow Group One Autumn Path
Splintex

Apprentice Robbie Dolan did his homework and nutted out a plan aboard , implementing it to perfection to get the sprinter back in the winner's circle at .

And such is his opinion of the colt, he hopes the horse can take him all the way to a Group One win during the .

“He's an ideal horse for a race like The ,” Dolan said.

“He will get in with 52kg, I can ride him at that weight.”

After winning two of his first three starts last preparation, Splintex had to settle for minor placings at his two runs from a spell, including a last-start third in the Guineas.

While Splintex had led throughout in his two wins, Dolan did not want to be locked into a speed battle in Saturday's Bushfire Appeal Race Day 25th January Handicap (1000m) and hatched a plan to trail the leaders.

“When I had a look at the speed map, I knew was very keen and would be up there,” Dolan said.

“I watched Omar's trial and he also goes very keen.

“So, I said to the owners, if we can take a sit and land in the one-one he will be hard to beat.”

Dolan's plan proved a winning one, despite Christian Reith on looking like he had him covered when that horse sprinted quickly at the top of the straight.

But as Aquitaine ($4.20) laid in under pressure, Splintex ($2.15 fav) lifted and was forging clear again on the line to by a half neck with Omar ($6.50) another 1-1/4 lengths away.

Trainer Mark Newnham was at the Gold Coast to watch his runners but stable representative James Ponsonby confirmed was on their radar.

“Mark is a huge fan of the horse as a colt,” Ponsonby said.

“He says he has a great attitude for racing and one of the things he would really like to do is see him win a nice type of race later this season.”

Leave A Comment