The wet winter tracks have been a thorn in the side for some but for Pelethronius, they have ushered in an overdue return to the winner’s stall.
The mudlark relished heavy ground to post his first win in almost two years at Warwick Farm earlier this month and trainer David Pfieffer is hoping to capitalise on the continuing rain-affected conditions when Pelethronius heads to Randwick for Saturday’s Winter Racing Handicap (1600m).
Now Pelethronius has remembered how to put his nose in front, Pfieffer hopes he might just go on with the job.
“It had been a while between drinks so it was good to get that win under his belt and it will probably do his confidence good,” Pfieffer said.
“I haven’t done too much with him but he’s done well since and we know he loves a wet track.”
Pfieffer is equally upbeat about the chances of stablemate The Party Girl in the TAB Handicap (1400m).
The mare did her early racing in Victoria and Queensland and has made good strides since landing at Pfieffer’s yard at the start of her current campaign.
She has not finished further back than fourth in four runs for the stable, including a last-start second to He’s A Given when she hit the front halfway up the straight and was run down in the final strides.
“Before she came to Sydney she’d never been past 1200 before and she’d never raced with blinkers on, so she’s had to experience a few things and she’s covered it well,” Pfieffer said.
“She’s been in good form and she looks like she’s found the right race on Saturday.”