Racing
Trainers going to the Wel again in Winter Stakes
The wet conditions at Rosehill are made to order for dual Group winner Welwal.
Welwal has only been in the care of his trainers for five starts but they have been quick to identify track conditions as a key ingredient for the former French galloper.
The six-year-old made a perfect start for his new stable when he landed his second black type win and first in Australia to take out the Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in November.
The was on a heavy surface and Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have been on the hunt for similar conditions ever since.
"We have been hanging out for a heavy track for this horse," Kent Jnr said.
"He won for the stable first start on a heavy track in the Group Three Kevin Heffernan and all prep we have somehow been missing out on wet ground.
"The horse is really going well. We're tickled pink with the way he is training."
After finishing out of the placings at his first two campaign runs, Welwal was an eye-catching second to Headley Grange in the Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick when he came from near last on the turn.
His racing pattern can come against him at times but with Saturday's Winter Stakes (1400m) field limited to 13 starters, Kent Jnr is hoping he gets an opportunity to shine despite his equal topweight of 60kg.
"Things didn't work out his first two runs because he got too far back, but last start was telling of how well he has been going at home. He really hit the line strongly," he said.
"The heavy track and smaller field on Saturday really brings him into it.
"He has a nice middle draw and if he can just hold a spot midfield, I know he's got a lot of weight but he is a class horse and he seemingly loves heavy going."
Welwal is proven over the Rosehill 1400-metre circuit and while the Winter Stakes will be the fourth run of his preparation, his appearances have been spaced.
"He's has been prepared beautifully for this race," Kent Jnr said.
"He's had three runs in and hasn't been overtaxed. He is still on the way up and I reckon it's a lovely race for him."
The stable has scratched Grand Impact from the Winter Stakes with that horse to instead tackle the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
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