Threads out to cash in on elite juvenile form

A third behind a subsequent Golden Slipper placegetter isn’t a bad reference for an off-season two-year-old assignment, and connections of Threads are hoping that form stacks up when the colt resumes.

By Snitzel out of Group 3 winner Tailleur, the well-bred Godolphin juvenile is set to kick off his latest campaign in the Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap (1200m) on Saturday after showing promise at his initial preparation.

Finding the 1000m of the Lonhro Plate too sharp when midfield on debut, he responded to the addition of blinkers to run an improved third to subsequent Slipper placegetter Music Time in the Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at his only other start.

Representing trainer Ciaron Maher, Jo Gerard-Dubord says connections are keen for Threads to get a win on his resume before he turns three next month and in that vein, they will weigh up whether he runs at Rosehill or waits for a race at Canterbury on Wednesday.

“It’s always nice for a well bred colt like that to get a bit of black-type, and it would be nice to get a win as a two-year-old,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“We have this race, or the option to wait for Wednesday. That was Plan A, next week, but when the ‘noms’ weren’t big we decided to accept for this and have a good look at the race.

“He’s a nice horse going forward. He’s got a lovely attitude. He’s a very neat horse with a great action and he’s had a good base, so it will be good to get him started.”

Threads has the services of Nash Rawiller at Rosehill, and is being kept safe as a $7 chance.

While he hasn’t placed in his two recent trials, Gerard-Dubord says that is typical of the colt’s relaxed attitude and, significantly, he wasn’t sporting blinkers in those trials but will have them back on come race day.

“He’s a horse who only does what he has to. That’s how he works and that’s how he’s trialled,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“His first trial was quiet and the second he kept responding, but I think there was a bit more there, and that’s why we’ve elected to keep the blinkers on.”

The early scratching of Krasina leaves a field of 11 for Saturday’s assignment, including Joint Venture, a $625,000 yearling purchase who placed at his only start at Wyong, and Gatineau, who closed off nicely when fifth to the smart Omolong on debut.