Warrnambool galloper Kissinger (NZ) (Tavistock) is set to have his first shot at a stakes race when he makes the trip to Pakenham.
The Lindsey Smith-trained galloper is set to line up in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on Saturday coming off victories in two of his past three starts.
Kissinger scored at benchmark 70 level at Bendigo on October 2 while his most win came in benchmark 84 grade at Cranbourne on November 12.
Between the victories at Bendigo and Cranbourne was a narrow second at Caulfield on the middle day of the Caulfield Cup Carnival when Port Phillip got the bob in on the line.
The turnaround in fortunes for Kissinger has coincided with Damien Oliver being entrusted with the ride on the former New Zealand gelding.
Smith said after Kissinger’s recent run of form, now was the time for the gelding to be tried at stakes level after his success over 2540m at Cranbourne last start.
“He’s trained on good from when he won at Cranbourne,” Smith told RSN.
“He was able to have a grass gallop on Sunday morning (at Warrnambool) when they wanted a rating for the track, and he galloped quite well.
“He’s in maybe the best form since I’ve ever had him, so we’ve kept him going as I didn’t want the wheels to fall off.
“After Saturday, hopefully, he might be able to go to a race like the Bagot Handicap.”
The Group Three Bagot Handicap (2800m) will be run at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
The last start win at Cranbourne has earned Kissinger top spot in the betting with TAB at $4.60 ahead of last Saturday’s Group Three Eclipse Stakes winner Milford, a firmer from $6.50 into $4.80.
