James Cummings and the Godolphin team are optimistic about stepping Pisces up to 1600 metres for Saturday’s Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Now a gelding and more mature, Pisces has impressed this campaign, claiming a win in the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) on November 16 and finishing in the placings in his other start.
Blake Shinn, who rode Pisces during his two-year-old season when he placed second and fourth over 1400 and 1600 metres at Flemington, played a key role in shaping the team’s strategy. Reflecting on Pisces’ earlier campaigns, Godolphin assistant trainer Nacim Dilmi noted:
“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.
“When Blake came back, he said it was either the distance or the extended prep.”
The team responded by giving Pisces a well-earned break, and the results have been encouraging.
“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 added.
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