Kerry Parker admits Pineapple will be thrown into the deep end if she gets a run in Saturday's Patinack Farm Light Fingers Stakes, but the Kembla Grange trainer is desperate to have a crack against some of the country's best fillies.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The speedy three-year-old, who won her only race start on her home track earlier this month, is listed as first emergency for the $175,000 Group Two sprint and Parker was hopeful a starting spot opened up.
“I'd love to get a run in it but at the moment we're just stuck in no man's land,” Parker said.
“There's not much else around for her anyway. We've got to throw her in the deep end but we're never scared of having a fight and I don't think she is, she doesn't know she doesn't read the paper.
“She's a nice filly. If we get a guernsey we'll be there trying.”
Parker certainly isn't overstating the monumental task facing Pineapple, should she get a start in the race.
Granted she's had one career start for one win, and that was at metropolitan level, but that wasn't against the swathe of group performers waiting for her at Warwick Farm this weekend.
There's the well-backed Streama, resuming here after collecting a hat-trick of wins in the spring which included the Group One Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m).
Also attracting interest is Queanbeyan filly Karuta Queen, who won in Melbourne and Sydney over the spring and comes off a luckless fourth in the Group Three Rubiton Stakes (1100m) last weekend.
Those two head the field, which also includes the highly rated Pane In The Glass and last-start winners Schiffer, Al's Magic Miss, Nocturnelle, Sea Siren and Blue Ruby.
“They've got the writing on the board,” Parker said.
“I suppose the Queanbeyan filly speaks for itself, she's been there and done it but she has got to back up after a week of going to Melbourne last week and things going against her.
“I suspect a lot of horses are going well and looking forward to the autumn. They've been there and done it, our girl's broke her maiden and that's it.
“Realistically she's untapped, we don't know her ability, but we'll find out a little bit more Saturday.”
In-form jockey Jeff Penza rode her to victory last time in, settling at the rear and storming home for an eye-catching one-length salute.
He said the filly would run well if she was given a start.
“She's done well so far this prep and to win the way she did - I'm excited about Saturday,” Penza said.
“I'm not saying she's going to win of course but I just want to see her run a really good race so we know which direction we're going to head with her.
“We're very happy with her and I remember jumping her out awhile ago and Kerry said 'this one goes nice'.
“She's half got the breeding behind her and she's a very big strong horse.
“We'll test her up the straight and see what she's got.”
