Warwick Stakes Review: Pinwheel rolls on

The Warwick Stakes is often a starting point for horses aiming at the Spring Carnival

Gary Crispe takes a look back at the Warwick Stakes, and the effect it may have on future races at this year's Spring Carnival...

Pinwheel continues to raise the bar, this time recording a new peak figure with a successful defence of the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at his home track last Saturday.

Having turned seven this season, Pinwheel is displaying the same characteristics of a fine wine as he continues to improve with age.

A noticeable drifter last start in the Warwick Stakes, Pinwheel defied the market by holding off a late challenge from Secret Admirer to claim the $175,000 Group 2 event by a half length.

The Peter Snowden-trained gelding in doing so posted consecutive Warwick Stakes victories having claimed a weaker renewal of the event 12 months earlier.

Pinwheel's latest success was assessed at 121, 1 lb above his previous master rating achieved when fourth in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) behind Mid Summer Music.

Peter Snowden suggested after the race that the ultra-consistent galloper will next contest the Group 2 Theo Marks (1400m) at Rosehill on September 15.

Based on his latest display, anything around the same figure should see him posting a third straight win.

A figure of 121 sits marginally above the five-year winning average of the Warwick Stakes, which in recent renewals has been taken by Metal Bender (123), Trusting (116) and Racing To Win (117).

The Warwick Stakes is another important race early in the season which provides a host of potential spring stars to launch their campaigns from.

Last year it was Trusting who came out of the Warwick Stakes with a solid fifth to go on and claim a pair of Group wins.

In 2010, the Gai Waterhouse-trained duo of Theseo and Descarado each went on to claim the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes and the Group 1 Caulfield Cup respectively after resuming in the Warwick Stakes.

While Pinwheel came away with the cash this year, a number of rivals definitely caught the eye from a spring perspective.

Runner-up Secret Admirer kicked off her spring ideally. The five-year-old's preparation, which has the ultimate goal of the Caulfield Cup, has begun with an effort assessed at 114.

Secret Admirer no doubt has a lot of improvement left heading towards her main spring aim with trainer Grahame Begg stating his satisfaction with the performance following the race.

Veteran galloper Danleigh showed he still has that zest for racing with a respectable third while Lamasery displayed very encouraging signs, finishing fourth off a lengthy injury-enforced spell on the sidelines.