Quality three-year-old Pinup Boy makes his return to racing at Albion Park tomorrow (Friday) night.
Prepared by respected horseman Mark Dux, the talented gelding is a last start winner of the Gr.1 $100,450 Australian Pacing Gold Brisbane Sales Graduates Final on August 12.
On that occasion, he proved too strong downing talented filly Arts Treasure (a proven Gr.1 winner herself) in a solid time of 1:55.7 for the 1660m feature event.
The Sportswriter – Victree Bette youngster was immediately turned out for a well-deserved break.
Pinup Boy ended his rookie season with a record of three wins and two minor placings from seven starts while banking more than $54,000.
“He’s come back in good order, he’s only grown in height a small margin but he’s definitely filled out and seems a lot thicker in most areas which is pleasing. Winning the APG race was the season target, it was his Grand Final and we were more than pleased with the job he did.” Dux said.
Pinup Boy resumes in the final event on the program, the second heat of the Seymour Pot of Gold and will start from gate five in the 1660m event.
The $10,540 Final is scheduled for the following week.
A recent public trial indicated that Pinup Boy is on target for a first-up showing after winning the workout in a time of 1:59.1 with the last quarter covered in 27.7 seconds.
“It was a nice start to his campaign and I was more than satisfied with the way he hit the line and ran through the line, he chased down the leader quite comfortably.
“He will prove very hard to beat and this series looked a perfect way to start his new season, I haven’t really mapped out any major assignments at this stage so there are no set plans.
“I like him; I think he’s got a nice future so we will hopefully have some fun with him this campaign and a winning start can be made this week.”
Pinup Boy is raced by Stephen Dux, Greg Flower, Richard Lucas, Bill Quill, Bernard Tobin, Alan Salpietro, John Flower, Natalie Flower, Chris Grant and Danial Grant.
Meanwhile, the meeting also features the second round of heats of the 2017 Australasian Young Drivers Championship with a further two heats scheduled.
The series commenced on Wednesday night at Redcliffe and local driver Narissa McMullen (39 points) currently leads the series from New Zealand drivers Dylan Ferguson (37) and Kimberly Butt (34).
McMullen won the opening two heats with winning drives behind No Confession and Stuunder.
A champion will be crowned on Saturday night after the final four heats are staged.
Chris Barsby | RQ Web News | December 14 | Photo by Dan Costello