Listed Challenge Stakes winner Spin Da Wheels appears set to improve on his first-up run when he lines up in the ‘TABTouch With Cash’ Handicap (1300m) at Belmont on Saturday.
The four-year-old had his first start in more than 13 months at Belmont on May 16 over 1200m and was beaten three lengths by Surpark and Gigante.
Last preparation, Spin Da Wheels finished three lengths off the winner at his first-up run, before he came out and defeated Black Heart Bart in the Challenge Stakes at his second-up run.
Trainer Michael Lane said he was pleased with Spin Da Wheels’ effort first-up from a wide gate and suggested he would benefit stepping up in distance.
“He went well enough,” Lane said.
“Having a year off, he was a bit rusty.
“It might be a bit short for him this week, he probably needs a 1400.”
Lane said he would progress the gelding through the grades this preparation, and would not take on the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes or Strickland Stakes, but hoped he could make it to the Group 1 Railway Stakes in future.
“I rate him a Railway Stakes horse if he can get there one day,” he said.
“We will hopefully get a few wins this campaign, there are a couple of 78 plus rating races.”
Lane said he expected Spin Da Wheels to be very competitive this Saturday against a field that includes Gigante, Surpark, Zester, Jezpark and Kheleva.
“If he gets a bit of luck in running he will beat most of them, but he isn’t at his best yet,” he said.
The ‘TABTouch With Cash’ Handicap is the final event on Saturday’s Belmont Stakes program, and jumps at 4.48pm, with the first event set to jump at 12.17pm.
Tim Walker
www.perthracing.com.au
