Pisces in line for 2024 Sandown Guineas honours
James Cummings and the Godolphin team are happy to again step up to 1600m with a more mature Pisces at Caulfield.
Gelded at the end of his two –year-old season, Pisces has finished in the placings in his two runs this campaign, including a win in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on November 16.
On Saturday, Pisces steps up to 1600m to contest the Group 2 Sandown Guineas at Caulfield.
Blake Shinn was aboard Pisces when as a two-year-old the then colt ran over 1400m and 1600m at Flemington, finishing second and fourth respectively.
Shinn at the time suggested trying Pisces at 1600m after his 1400m placing, but whether it was the trip, or the end of a long preparation, the jockey was unsure, but the Godolphin team is happy to give Saturday’s journey another try.
“We did question the 1400 (metres) last time in when Blake Shinn rode him at Flemington saying he feels like he could probably go beyond, so we gave it a try, but he was coming off a big prep,” Godolphin assistant trainer Nacim Dilmi said.
“When Blake came back, he said it was either the distance or the extended prep
“We gave him a nice break and his run in the Red Anchor was good, his run here two weeks ago was very good, and we have no doubt that over the 1600 this time he’ll be competitive.”
Dilmi said Pisces was still on fresh legs after his two runs this campaign.
He said the gelding operation had improved Pisces’ demeanour around the stable and he was now an easier horse to deal with.
“His demeanour, his attitude is better as last time he was a little bit of a thinker,” Dilmi said.
“He was doing a lot wrong at home and also in his races, so to see how he was last prep compared to this prep, we feel like he’s a different horse and now he’s got more the will to be a racehorse.”
Consideration was given to taking Pisces to Perth for last week’s Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m), but the Godolphin team made the call to keep the gelding in Melbourne.
Instead, Pisces made the trip from Flemington to Caulfield for a gallop on Tuesday morning.
“We came here this morning to do a nice tick over gallop and from what I saw, we’re very happy with him,” Dilmi said.
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