Pinstriped's early return for Caulfield campaign

Pinstriped has been a regular fixture in the late winter weight-for-age races over recent seasons.

However, after an extended break following his spring campaign last year, Pinstriped will aim to gain a fitness edge over his spring rivals by commencing his campaign first-up in the Sportsbet Fixed Odds Exotics Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield this Saturday.

In the last three years, trainer Enver Jusufovic has traditionally launched Pinstriped's spring campaign in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, which is scheduled for next month.

Jusufovic is again planning to target that race, in which Pinstriped has finished second twice and seventh last year, but the Cranbourne-based horseman felt it was beneficial to get a run into the gelding earlier this time.

Pinstriped has not been seen at the races since finishing fifth in the Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham back in December, but he has had two preparatory jump-outs ahead of his Saturday return.

Jusufovic decided to give Pinstriped a prolonged break after his last spring campaign, as he believed the gelding was not performing at his optimum level.

"Physically, I thought he was in great shape, he just didn't really come up," Jusufovic said.

"He was hesitant to go into the barriers on most occasions and then slow out and was getting that pair further back than you would have liked.

"I made the effort to give him a long break. He had a good four months, and I thought I would work him a little bit different this time, more from a sprinting mould and he's come back really nice and bright.

"His action is good, his back is brilliant, I couldn't be happier with it, and you see him rolling all-the-time now.

"He does a lot of dressage and is leading on his right leg and he's done so much of it, he could go to a show."

Pinstriped suffers from 'kissing spine' and Jusufovic has opted for dressage work rather than a surgical approach.

Jusufovic likened the dressage work to gym exercises for humans, focusing on building the hindquarters of the horses.

"With dressage, you are getting them to use their body properly," Jusufovic explained.

"He's using his hind quarter which builds them up, so it is a bit similar to gym work where you do the exercises properly to build those areas."

Jusufovic has not finalised any plans beyond the P B Lawrence Stakes, preferring to observe Pinstriped's performance on Saturday and in his second-up run.

"Lachie Neindorf trialled him last week and was of the opinion to keep him on the fresh side and he suggested 1400 (metres) first-up," Jusufovic mentioned.

"This race came up and while he's got 62 kilos, he's a big horse and can carry it.

"He probably deserves the weight and it's a good time to kick him off, nice and early, and after this run, he can have a week off.

"He can go to the P B Lawrence but after that, nothing's set in concrete and it all depends on each performance, keep him fresh, rather than go two weeks, two weeks, two weeks.

"It appears there's a bit more depth in the Group 1 ranks this year, so we can pick what we want to do.

"Hopefully I don't have the same prep I had with him last time, otherwise there might not be another prep with him."

Considering the racing odds for Saturday's Caulfield meeting? Check out the latest racing betting markets at online bookmakers.