Robl chasing dual-state stakes double
Randwick trainer Peter Robl will have stakes runners in separate states on Thursday.
Robl’s first 10 months in the training caper has reaped multiple black type successes and two of his more recognised performers, Centre Pivot and Ninth Legion, will be flying the stable flag at Hawkesbury and Flemington respectively.
Centre Pivot lines up in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1400m) in the north-west periphery of Sydney while Ninth Legion contests the Group III L’Oreal Paris Stakes (1400m) at Flemington’s VRC Crown Oaks day meeting.
Centre Pivot is second-up from a spell after being beaten for pace around the Randwick 1100 metre course in the Lightning Stakes last month.
“At the start of last prep he kicked off in a benchmark 90 over 1300 (metres) so first-up in the 1100 of the Lightning we knew they would be way too sharp for him,” Robl said.
“But it was the right race to kick him off in as he was either going to run second-up at Hawkesbury or in a 1400 metre race in Melbourne on Saturday.
“We elected to go to Hawkesbury rather than bringing him down to Melbourne and he’s come on very well from his first-up run.
“He strips a lot fitter than what he was first-up which naturally he would have to. His work has been good and I think if he gets the right run he’s going to be more than competitive.
“His form stacks up quite well for a race like this.”
Six of Centre Pivot’s eight career wins have been between 1400 metres and 1600 metres but Robl has designed on developing the gelding into a genuine stayer this campaign, likely to culminate in the $1 million Stayers’ Cup (2200m) at the Gold Coast on Magic Millions day in January.
“I’d like to get him up to 2400 (metres) this prep. He placed over 2000 last time in and has given the indication that he can run further,” Robl said.
“The Stayers’ Cup is 2200 metres this year and that’s what he’s going to be ultimately aimed for.”
Meanwhile, Ninth Legion will be on trial for a potential trip west for the Group I Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot during Perth’s summer carnival.
“We’ll see how he runs tomorrow. If he runs well, then he will justify a trip over there and leave on the 13th on November. There’s a flight to Perth going on that day,” Robl said.
“Blake Shinn will have first refusal on the ride. We’ve teamed up a few times before with a bit of joy and I think he’s as good a rider as you’ll get in Sydney.”