Pins Strikes First Stakes Winner for Season

Gwenda Markwell’s under-rated galloper Rolling Pin struck Pins’ first stakes winner for the season and a major surprise when scoring an all the way win in the Gr 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle’s Broadmeadow yesterday.

According to jockey Christian Reith, Rolling Pin began like a gazelle, dictated and never looked in danger of defeat, beating the fast finishing Lightinthenite.

“It wasn’t the plan to lead but he wanted to fight me a little bit early so I gave him a bit of rein, got him to relax, got him into stride and he just felt fantastic,” Reith told Sky Racing World.

“It was a tough race today and all credit to Gwenda, her staff and the horse. He turned up in tip top order. He’s always shown ability this horse and it’s good to see him pick up one of these good races.”

The Geoff and Josie Hines-bred Pins gelding’s win in the Cameron Handicap guaranteed the gelding’s place in the field with 52kg for the Gr. 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 6. The Newcastle feature carried ballot and penalty exemption for Sydney’s main open age race of the spring carnival.

Currently a $A51 chance to win the Epsom Handicap, Rolling Pin was a $NZ60,000 Karaka purchase in 2009. He is out of the Mi Preferido mare Gypsy’s Daughter who won three times at black-type level.

Source: Clinton Payne, Racenet.