Warrnambool trainer Tom Dabernig has taken the quiet approach with Plucky Pirouette who will be out to register her first victory since suffering a tendon injury.
Plucky Pirouette won on Melbourne Cup Day in 2021 for the Flemington-based Caroline Jennings before spending 19 months away from the racetrack.
The daughter of Brazen Beau suffered a flexor tendon injury and underwent a rehabilitation program with Lee Evison and when Jennings decided on a break from training, Plucky Pirouette first went to Mathew Ellerton before transferring on to Dabernig.
Plucky Pirouette has had four starts for Dabernig and is set for her fifth on Wednesday in the Ladbrokes Racing Club Handicap (2100m) at Sandown.
Dabernig said the now six-year-old had been slowly building her fitness and feels the 2100m, at the fifth run of her campaign that began in June, was ideal.
All four starts this campaign have been a Sandown, the last two on the Hillside track, while Wednesday’s outing will be on the Lakeside course.
At her most recent outing Plucky Pirouette closed gamely when finishing third over 1800m on August 9.
“She had been off the seen for a while and we have gradually been building her fitness and building her up in distance,” Dabernig said.
“Each run she has been slightly improved, and she is building up to being back in form.
“We’re topweight and there is a couple in there with a bit of recent form, but I’ve left Jamie Mott on because she has gone well for him in her last two runs, and he seems to have confidence in her.
“So, rather than claim, we’ll just carry the weight. She’s drawn to get a nice run and over that distance she should be able to sit close to the speed.”
Wednesday’s outing is at benchmark 70 level, and at some stage Dabernig would like to try the mare at Stakes level, but he will be guided by her lead-up form.
“Hopefully we can get her back winning, get a bit of confidence, but what level we can get her back to, I’m not sure,” Dabernig said.
