As a Group 1 winner, Pinstriped is now consigned to tackling Australia’s elite gallopers.
Providing trainer Enver Jusufovic with a maiden Group 1 win in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 31, Pinstriped has the chance to go back-to-back at the highest level when he contests the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Pinstriped showed he is not out of his depth at the highest level, relegating Saturday’s opponents Mr Brightside into second place, Antino into fourth and Pride Of Jenni into fifth place at Caulfield.
There is also new blood for Pinstriped to contend with on Saturday with Sydney visitors Atishu and Via Sistina along with resuming stayers Circle Of Fire and Warmonger.
Right from day one, Jusufovic has held Pinstriped in high regard with the then three-year-old winning his first three starts, including the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington in 2022.
But niggling back problems have thwarted Pinstriped, despite the gelding being a seven-time winner from 23 starts.
Jusufovic feels Pinstriped is primed to be at his peak this campaign as a mature six-year-old.
He pointed to Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni producing their career best seasons as six-year-olds last season.
“He’s a six-year-old now and I think stats will show you that Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside, they performed at their ultimate as six-year-olds,” Jusufovic told RSN.
“It was always the idea with this horse that he was going to get better as he got older if I was able to manage him properly.
“I’ve done that at this stage, but he has to do it again and prove to everyone that he is up to them, and we’ll get our chance on Saturday to see whether he can replicate his last start.
“In the Group 1’s, you can’t hide from the opposition. There’s a lot more depth in this race as opposed to the Memsie, but he goes in there with winning form.”
Jusufovic is confident Pinstriped can continue the form he showed with his maiden Group 1 win at Caulfield, although admitting he will meet a fitter Mr Brightside, Antino and Pride Of Jenni on Saturday.
But Jusufovic also knows his horse has trained on well following the win at Caulfield.
“He pulled-up great, but I just wanted to monitor how he was as to where I go next start, and he certainly hasn’t taken a backwards step,” Jusufovic said.
“His weight weight’s great, his action’s good and he’s in a good space at the moment.”
