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By Ray Hickson

Trainer David Pfieffer had one wish as he awaited the barrier draw for Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Schweppes Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick – for Whinchat to draw “ugly”.

Trainer David Pfieffer (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Now that wish has been granted his attention has turned to the six-year-old taking what Pfieffer sees as his rightful place as a stakeswinner following a long overdue breakthrough earlier this month.

Whinchat’s woes with the barriers and not jumping cleanly have been well documented but it all fell into place for him at Wyong two weeks ago as he cruised to an all the way win, his first since March 2024.

“I was more relieved when he got out of the gates. If he holds his brain together and jumps and puts himself there he’s always going to be competitive,’’ Pfieffer said.

“It was the perfect race, the perfect track, it’s not often you get those circumstances so you take them when you can.

“He’s come through it good, his work is great and he looks fantastic.”

Pfieffer’s issues with Whinchat mean he’s only raced six times but barrier trialled 11 times since he last saluted the judge so you can understand the sense of relief the trainer feels.

Crucial to Whinchat’s chances of achieving a stakes win on Saturday could be whether Joe Pride elects to run Cool Jakey on a seven day back up given a drying track.

“We’ve already had a speed battle with Cool Jakey in the past,’’ Pfieffer said.

“He doesn’t lay down when somebody wants to eyeball him either, he wants to take them on.

“The key factor is the smaller fields. When he’s had a 10 horse field or less a lot of the time he gets control and nearly wins.

“He’s put in a couple of good runs but it’d been a while between drinks for him. These are the things you’ve got to get to work for him.”

Whinchat, $3.50 with TAB on Wednesday, drew barrier 12 in the 13 horse field on acceptances with regular rider Jay Ford in the saddle.

Pfieffer said with the confidence up following a positive experience at Wyong this could be his best chance at Listed level since he was narrowly beaten by The Instructor at Scone last autumn.

“Not too many trainers are going to say they want to draw ugly,’’ he said.

“His rating’s up high in the 90s and he’s not really a solid carnival horse.

“We all probably agree he can win a stakes race and he’s going to get the opportunity if he can contain himself.”

Meanwhile, the Warwick Farm trainer is looking forward to finding out if well bred filly At Her Mercy can back up her last start maiden win when he runs at Wyong on Sunday.

Whinchat wins at Wyong on January 10

The Bivouac three-year-old, out of multiple stakes winner Avenue, was an easy winner at Kembla Grange two weeks ago at her third race start and steps up to an 1100m Class 1.

“She’s still learning her trade, I think Wyong should suit her well,’’ he said.

“She climbs a bit but she’s just going to keep getting better with more racing.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Randwick