Pinstriped holds off Attrition in the Clamms Seafood Feehan Stakes
Victory in the Group 2 Clamms Seafood Feehan Stakes has delivered Enver Jusufovic’s stable star Pinstriped a spot in next month’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
Ridden by Ben Allen, Pinstriped ($8) made his run out wide, joining Tuvalu in the lead at the top of the straight.
The Jusufovic-trained gelding got the better of the battle with 50m to go, but then had to survive a late charge by Attrition, holding on by 0.1L.
“I feel like I’m in that Willy Wonka chocolate factory movie and I’ve got the golden ticket,” an elated Jusufovic said post-race.
“This horse has always had the ability I’ve just had to manage him properly.”
The other Group 2 on the card, the Mittys McEwen Stakes, resulted in a record-breaking performance.
New Zealand star mare Imperatriz showed an electric turn of foot, swooping past the quality field of sprinters to score by 2 ½ lengths, breaking The Valley’s 1000m track record in the process.
It was Imperatriz’s first start since her Group 1 win at The Valley in the autumn in the 3 Point Motors William Reid Stakes.
The Mark Walker-trained mare will get the chance for more Group 1 success at The Valley in three weeks’ time, when she lines up in the Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes on September 29.
Before the racing started on Saturday, The Valley played host to Pony Club Victoria’s 2023 Ride To Time State Championships.
Ride To Time is a competition that rewards the combination who travels the closest to an optimum set speed.
The State Championships featured two categories, with 10 Open Riders and 10 Maiden Riders.
Jessica Norman took out the Open section, providing the perfect 21st birthday present, while Spike Lynch prevailed in the Maiden category.
Saturday also saw the launch of the 2023 Cox Plate Carnival Charity Pin in partnership with Make-A-Wish Australia.
The Charity Pins will be available for $10 on course in the lead-up to the Cox Plate Carnival, or for $10 + $2.95ph from thevalley.com.au.
Racing is back at The Valley on September 29 (AFL Grand Final Eve), for the launch of the Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season, featuring the Group 1 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes.