Autumn will be Pictor’s time to shine

It’s not often that Chris Waller gets it wrong but when he does, he is very quick to make it right.

Realising he pulled the wrong rein by running Pictor over 1100m first-up when he finished down the track at Canterbury, Waller stepped the Written Tycoon colt straight to 1400m for Wednesday’s The Agency Real Estate Plate at Kensington and was rewarded with a win.

“The key was the trip,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said.

“We probably got it wrong last start. He was dual accepted and we went for the wrong option.

“We learned our lesson there and made amends today.”

Having just his third start, Pictor ($3.20) let down nicely for James Mcdonald to score by a half-length over stablemate Panova ($6) with Emballee ($18) making it a stable trifecta another three-quarters of a length away third.

While it was a midweek race, Duckworth said that didn’t reflect their opinion of the winner, who was initially considered a Caulfield Guineas aspirant before a minor setback derailed those hopes.

“He’s a bit behind the others but off his work at home we thought he was going to end up being on a Guineas path this preparation,” he said.

“He had a very minor issue which set him back ten days of work. Nothing that is going to prevent him going onwards and upwards and I imagine he’ll be seen at a higher level through the autumn.”

“It’s just two weeks too late which is a real shame but he is actually a really good colt.”

Gosford Guineas winner Dance To The Boom ($1.60 fav) reacted to a class drop with a dominant win in the Brave Smash Yearlings Handicap (1400m), defeating La Roja ($4.60) by 1-1/4 lengths.

It followed two unplaced runs from a spell and trainer Bjorn Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton, hoped the victory gave the mare a timely confidence boost ahead of a return to better company.

“She got all the favours today and was able to put them away and win well,” Hilton said.

“Hopefully that just gives her the confidence and we can get back to Saturday grade.”