Promising youngster Aleppo Pine returns to Caulfield this Saturday, with an inside barrier and a return to familiar conditions giving the Godolphin colt every chance in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1100m).
Trainer James Cummings chose to stay local with Aleppo Pine rather than sending him to Sydney for the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) at Randwick.
“At the end of the day, he just needed the softer draw out for the two races,” Cummings said.
“This is quite a strong little race and not much easier than the Kindergarten, but he’s got the softer draw, and he might just act a little better on his Melbourne leg at this stage of his career.”
The Caulfield contest will now feature a field of six after Friday morning withdrawals of Boa Vista and Skjaldmo, potentially boosting Aleppo Pine’s prospects.
The colt was a dominant winner on debut at Ballarat in December before a promising jump-out at Caulfield Heath in January saw him sent out favourite in the Blue Diamond Prelude, where he faded late to run fifth.
He was then shifted to Sydney for the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) but didn’t have the best of luck, finishing seventh after being held up.
A gentle trial at Hawkesbury on March 25 has had him primed for Saturday’s return to racing.
“He’s had a soft trial since his somewhat luckless effort in the Todman, where he got his momentum impeded which was not ideal,” Cummings said.
“Dropping back to 1100 metres is also looking good. He’s a quick colt and from the soft draw I’d like to see him show the foot he showed first-up last year.”
“It would be good to see him get back on the board, and to win Stakes race would be ideal.”
Jye McNeil will be back aboard Aleppo Pine, having guided him to his debut win in Ballarat.