KEY POINTS:
Pindy is on trial in more ways than one in tomorrow's $40,000 Doug McFarlane 1600m at Te Rapa.
The patiently handled 5-year-old already has recognition as one of the north's toughest fighters on raceday.
What Pindy is looking to prove to trainer Gary Hennessy this time is whether he will successfully run out the 1600m and whether he is on target to go forward to his biggest test yet in the $125,000 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on January 1.
"I've also got him in the (group one) Thorndon Mile at Trentham."
Pindy has had just 11 raceday starts, winning five of them and impressing just about every time with the fight he can produce when challenged. On one memorable occasion Pindy and the talented Lord Monty fought a stirring battle for the entire length of the Te Rapa home straight with Lord Monty, having the advantage of the rail, getting a half head decision.
Pindy has had three runs this preparation for a good third to Wahid at Ellerslie when fresh, an unlucky run behind Alonzo at Tauranga, then gaining a tough win in slightly easier company on his home track at Matamata last time out.
With his natural grit there is no reason to suspect Pindy will not successfully run 1600m.
Last week's surprise winner Belthazar is a 1400m specialist who jumps up this time to the 1600m.
He has had two unsuccessful attempts at the distance, but in his current form he might turn his record around.
Certainly at the end of last week's 1400m the opposition was not getting to him and he gave the impression he could have run the extra distance there.
* Pasta Post will take one step closer to the City Of Auckland Cup when he goes around in the First Sovereign Trust 2100m at Te Rapa.
The impressive 4-year-old has won five of his six starts and his past three with an aggregate of nearly 11 lengths. There is some smart older staying talent engaged, but with 55.5kg he looks the next level above them.
