Back to the form that saw him start as a popular pick in the Group 1 Australian Guineas and earn a spot in the All-Star Mile, the Street Boss (USA) gelding Pinstriped showed his love for the Moonee Valley track in Saturday’s Group II Clamms Seafood Feehan Stakes (1600m).
Ridden by Ben Allen for Enver Jusufovic, Pinstriped came with a sweeping run to defeat the fast-finishing Attrition (Churchill) by a short-head with Tuvalu (Kermadec) three-quarters of a length back in third.
The Group III VRC CS Hayes Stakes winner in February last year, Pinstriped, advances his record to six two three from 17 starts with earnings of $1,106,500.
The victory earned Pinstriped a golden ticket to the Cox Plate.
“I feel like I’m on that Willy Wonka chocolate factory movie,” Jusufovic, joked.
“Big credit to the staff. This horse has always had the ability but I just had to manage him properly and it all sort of came to fruition in the Golden Eagle, to run last there but when he came back he was a train wreck. Then last prep it took a few runs to get him fit, had different processes with him and then when he had a month off after that last prep he just came back super. He’s just a horse with plenty of talent.
“I sort of base my life on going back to basics, I think we can get too ahead of ourselves and get too scientific in our approach to life in general. Really it’s just about the basics and the simple things and I’ve said it before, like a golf swing if you haven’t got your set up right it’s not going to work.
“There’s certainly a lot of pressure on this horse as we knocked back quite a significant offer from Hong Kong. I don’t think he would’ve suited that part of the world, but it’s great for Ben (Allen). I’ve always had faith in him, ever since I said he’ll never make it. We go a long way back, he’s matured into a good rider and a terrific DJ now, but it’s great to be a part of; he’s had a few good rides on this horse.”
An $80,000 purchase by Enver Jusufovic/Gary Mudgway Bloodstock from the Noorilim Park draft at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, Pinstriped is the best of two winners from a s many to race for the winning Snitzel mare Snitzel Blitz.
A sister to stakes-placed Moreau, Snitzel Blitz has a weanling colt by Capitalist. She missed to Zoustar last spring.
