Winter test for Jason Edward's Pentito

By Glenn Davis

Deagon trainer Jason Edwards believes promising gelding Pentito has all the attributes of making a stayer but only time will tell whether the Queensland Derby will figure in a possible Sunshine State winter carnival campaign.

Pentito will step out for the second time this campaign with a new rider in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.

Suspended jockey Ryan Maloney rode the son of Spill The Beans when he resumed with a close second to Grafton sprinter Alf’s Magic over an unsuitable 1200 metres at Doomben last month.

Edwards was delighted with his first run in three months and plans to give him one more start over a mile before deciding whether to push on to the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm in June.

“His first-up run was excellent as he was a little underdone,” Edwards said.

“They were too sharp for him over 1200 metres and he couldn’t pick up the winner in time.

“There’s a 1600 metres QTIS race coming up in a few weeks and I think he’ll relish the trip.

“If he goes well in these next two starts, I’ll give him a short break and heads towards the winter carnival with him.”

Edwards has booked in-form Kiwi jockey Sam Collett who will have her first ride on Pentito.

“Ryan Maloney rode him last time but he’s suspended so I booked Sam as she knows the horse after she jumped him out at Eagle Farm one day,” he said.

“He’s well weighted with 55kgs but he’s drawn terrible in 14.

“I’ve had no luck with barriers and if you look at my last 50 starters, I’ve consistently drawn bad gates.”

Edwards believes Pentito has the constitution to run a strong middle distance despite a lack of stamina in his pedigree.

“I’d like to think he’s up to the Rough Habit and Queensland Derby but I don’t yet if he’ll run a trip,” he said.

“His breeding suggests he may not but he’d got an economical action and a good respiratory system.

“He relaxes so well in his races too, which is another plus.”

Edwards is confident of a strong performance from Pentito and rates the Nat McCall-trained Sacca and former Rockhampton sprinter Isis Carmella as the main dangers.

“I think Sacca looks an improver and Isis Carmella has got good ability and showed that by winning at the Sunshine Coast for her new stable,” he said.

Isis Carmella won five of her eight starts for Rockhampton trainer Kevin Miller before winning on debut for co-trainers Steve O’dea and Matt Hoysted in a 1300 metre Benchmark race at the Sunshine Coast last month.