Races

Bunbury Preview: Peter Giadresco

Trainer Peter Giadresco is confident Sharreada has the form to make an impact in the John Carey Maiden (1216m) at Bunbury on Thursday.

The Trade Fair mare has yet to shed her maiden status but with two placings from her opening four starts Giadresco likes what he has seen.

Giadresco is drawing on Sharreada’s strong last start run and improved barrier position as the basis of his improved confidence.

At Bunbury late last month Sharreada grinded away behind Laurensen after being with the back markers 400m out.

She picked up significant ground for jockey William Pike and chased hard before finishing ¾ length adrift of the winner.

Jockey William Pike is absent from the meeting on holidays, but Giadresco won’t lose anything with Paul Harvey in control from barrier one.

“I thought her last run was very good,” Giadresco said.

“I think she has her hoof on the till.

“She has been working well and is holding her form.

“I’m expecting her to run a good race.

“She is overdue.”

Stable mate Discord Witch has been a model of consistency for Giadresco and sits one point shy of So Who’s Harry in Bunbury’s Leading Horse of the Year.

The Discorsi mare has finished no further back than sixth in six starts with two wins and two minor placings from her second preparation.

She enters the Peter Page Handicap (1216m) full of confidence after bursting through to defeat a fast-finishing Scottish Trader on December 20.

Drawn well in barrier seven, Discord Witch will be ridden by Jason Whiting. Giadresco can’t hide his appreciation for the four-year-old.

“She is my bread and butter horse who is ultra-consistent,” Giadresco said.

“The key is getting her to relax and she will need speed in the race.

“She is a better chasing from behind.

“I’m sure she will be in the mix again.”

Sixpence Spent is the fresh blood of Giadresco’s team and based on the gelding’s two runs he has something to work with.

The son of Vital Equine won on debut at Bunbury and lost no admirers when a close second to Paris Dream at the same track when attempting to lead all the way over 1410m on December 28.

Sixpence Spent will dodge Bunbury and make his city debut in the Luna Raceday-Feb 13 Handicap (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

“I like the horse and think he is on the way up,” Giadresco said.

“I have a lot of time for him.

“He is still learning and has a ton of ability.

“It’s not beyond him.”