Amenable set to bounce back in G1 Toorak Handicap

With almost half the field on the minimum in the Toorak Handicap, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable will give Wiremu Pinn the opportunity of collecting his first Group 1 win at Caulfield.

The only apprentice to be given a chance at Group 1 glory in Saturday’s 1600m contest, Pinn will ride Amenable, one of eight runners that will carry the minimum of 52kg under the handicap conditions.

Pinn, who has a Group 1 victory on his record in New Zealand, will be having his first ride at the highest level in Australia.

With many of the ‘go to’ lightweight riders with bookings, Price and Kent Jnr called on Pinn for the ride.

“He’s got a lightweight and I had to make a decision, so we’ve gone with W Pinn,” Price said.

“Horses go well for him, and I think he’ll be a nice lightweight chance over the mile.

“His run the other day was disappointing, but we rode him to finish off, but the race disappeared. Sometimes you lose sight of the lure and mathematically it gets too hard.”

After starting his campaign with a win at Caulfield, Amenable has been unplaced in two subsequent starts at the track.

He slipped at the start and came from last to run fifth in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) on September 2 before settling back from his wide draw in the Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) on September 23 when finishing sixth behind Buffalo River.

Amenable also drops from 57kg last start to 52kg on Saturday while Price said the step up to 1600m should be ideal on Saturday.

“We’ve got no problems with the horse,” Price said.

“He’s good, he’s fit, and he goes into the race at his top.

“Hopefully we can ride him a bit closer in the run and he gets a bit of luck and I think the mile will be good for him.”