Trainer Danny O'Brien was pleased with the performance of Pins On Parade and Barbaricus which ran first and third in the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Plate at Flemington this afternoon.

Going to the lead early, Pins On Parade ($2.00-$3.30-$3.20F) held on grimly to withstand by a long head a late challenge from the Peter Moody trained Riva San ($4.40-$5.50) which tried to run down the leader for the entire length of the straight.

Third was Barbaricus ($13-$15-$13), 2¼ lengths further astern.

With today's win, Pins On Parade brought his record to three wins and a second from his only four starts. His only defeat was last start at Caulfield behind smart West Australian Scenic Blast. 

"He's lightly raced", observed O'Brien.

"He ran into a pretty smart horse last start and just got run down."

"He's done everything else we've wanted."

O'Brien revealed that the $1 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas is the main target for Pins On Parade, with the $175,000 Group 3 Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on the 22nd of September his likely next start. 

"He'll go to the Guineas Prelude", O'Brien announced.

"The reason I backed him up today was I wanted to get two runs at 1400 before the mile of the Guineas just to season him up a bit and I'm really happy with what he's done today."

Pins On Parade was ridden for the first time today by Darren Beadman, who replaced regular jockey Steven Arnold.

"He likes him", said O'Brien.

"Darren said he's a nice horse and still learning."

"He was wanting to go a little bit fierce early when the other horse was on his outside but he'll just keep improving."

Of his other horse Barbaricus, O'Brien said: 

"I'm happy with him. He'll probably head to a mile next start. He might even run in the Stutt Stakes at the Valley in a couple of week's time."

O'Brien thinks that Barbaricus is a bit below the Group 1 class of the Caulfield Guineas, opting for slightly easier races during the Spring. 

"I'd say he's probably just below that", O'Brien responded when asked if Barbaricus was also aiming at he Guineas.

"If he could run in a Carbine Club or something like that at the end of the Spring that's probably about his level", he said.

O'Brien defended claims that his horse looked more impressive because the Sydney horses were sidelined due to the equine influenza outbreak. 

"The best two year olds from last year are already down here", he said.

"Forensics, Zizou, Murtajil."

"Pins On Parade last start he beat Murtajil and Zizou", he said.

"Whatever was in the Slipper we've been exposed to that form."

"I think its just the case that the last couple of years your three year olds that haven't done a lot of racing like God's Own have come through and been the better Spring three year olds."

"I think we get a bit too focussed on Slipper form."

"This horse was never going to be a two year old and he's had four starts, three wins and a second."

"If he'd done that in the Autumn everyone would be saying what a good horse he is."

"Because he hasn't done that there's no boom on him."

O'Brien expects that Pins On Parade will probably go for a spell after the Guineas, having raced through the Winter. 

"The Guineas Prelude and Guineas would probably see him out", he agreed.

© Cyberhorse 2024 Bill Saunders Published 08/09/07