Sinawann warming into form for new trainer

It has been more than two years since Sinawann last won a race, but his new trainer is confident the former Victorian has his hoof on the till.

The seven-year-old hasn’t saluted since capturing the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in November 2021, although he did subsequently spend six months sidelined by a suspensory injury following a midfield effort in that season’s Group 1 CF Orr Stakes.

Transferred to Joe Pride after failing to fire during this year’s Brisbane winter carnival, Sinawann has raced three times for his new stable and turned in his best performance in a while with a closing fourth behind Recommendation in the Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) last start, beaten less than a length.

Pride has been buoyed by the effort and believes Sinawann is a talented horse who has finally turned the corner after being belatedly gelded.

“I’ve got the residual (effects) of him being a colt for a long time,” Pride said.

“He is still doing things wrong, but I just think he gets better every time I step him out. Stick with him.

“It was a good run last start and I’ve been happy with him at home.”

Sinawann will line up in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday and has drawn the inside of 12 with Chad Schofield to ride.

The benchmark 100 shapes as the highlight of the pre-Christmas card, along with the two-year-old race which features the return of Breeders’ Plate runner-up Straight Charge for the in-form Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard.

One Pride-trained sprinter who won’t be seen again this summer is Starlight Stakes winner Dragonstone, who has been spelled.

“Unfortunately, Dragonstone pulled up sore after his run and he’s going to have to go to the paddock,” Pride said.