Windwhistle has been ridden by a different rider in eight of his nine wins. Apprentice Ryan Hurdle has ridden Windwhistle in two wins.
Doherty, who has transferred his apprenticeship to Washdyke trainer David Hutton, can claim 3kg, giving Windwhistle respite from topweight of 60.5kg in a rating 85 1600m race. He is riding Windwhistle for the first time. Six riders have ridden Windwhistle to win when riding him for the first time.
Windwhistle, who has raced every month in the past 29, has won four races this season. He has won over 1600m at Riccarton and Omoto; a 1200m at Riccarton and 2000m at Cromwell two starts back.
The Traditionally 4yr-old trained at Washdyke by Mel and Warwick Coles, ran fourth in the Hororata Cup (1800m) at Riccarton at his last start on March 24.
The Coles stable also has Flying Petal, a rival for Windwhistle today, with apprentice Toni Direen the rider. Flying Petal has won over 1600m and 2200m on rain-affected tracks at Wingatui. The track was dead yesterday.
• Trainer John Bary is surprised the TAB has Jimmy Choux a $4.50 favourite to win the $200,000 Easter Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday, Michael Guerin reports.
"Really, you're kidding," he said when informed of the market.
"I couldn't be happier with him [Jimmy Choux]. But I still don't think he can win fresh up carrying 61kg." Jimmy Choux has not raced since early December.
"I would have thought Green Supreme [55kg] would be favourite, then Fleur de Lune after her second last Saturday and Veyron, because he is a very good horse." Rogan Norvall is back aboard Veyron, who has drawn 22.
Norvall has ridden Veyron in eight of his 12 wins but he has not ridden the gelding since he won the Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie in November.
They combined to win the Easter 12 months ago when Veyron carried 57kg, from barrier 11. Veyron has 59kg on Saturday.
Veyron is on the third line of favouritism at $6.50. Green Supreme is second favourite at $6.
• Scarlett Lady, a dual group one winner, has been retired after pulling up sore at Rosehill last Saturday, AAP reports.
She was eased down in the BMW and and owner Max Whitby and trainer Graeme Rogerson made the decision to retire the 4yr-old mare.
"We've got all the X-rays and there are a few issues including some arthritis," Whitby said. "It isn't anything to do with the [bone chip] injury she had in the spring.
"If it was another horse you might keep racing her but you can't do that at her level. I haven't decided yet whether we will sell her or keep her to breed from or keep a share in her."
Scarlett Lady won the 2011 Queensland Oaks. She was the early favourite for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Her campaign ended when she was found to have an injury after an unplaced run in the Underwood Stakes.
She resumed on a winning note in the listed Wairarapa Breeders' Stakes in February, then won the gr one New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.
The daughter of Savabeel-On Call won eight of her 16 starts.
• Pierro and All Too Hard will clash for the first time in the Sires' Produce Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Pierro won the Golden Slipper last Saturday. All Too Hard is unbeaten in three starts.
Rain Affair has five rivals in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m). The connections of unbeaten filly Atlantic Jewel have elected to start in the Sapphire Stakes for fillies.
• Hugh Bowman, who rides Silent Achiever in the AJC Derby on Saturday, said the filly might have an edge having mastered the 2400m distance.
Silent Achiever won the New Zealand Derby (2400m) last month.
Bowman said she was disadvantaged dropping in distance when a close third to Laser Hawk and Ocean Park in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
"The extra distance will play in my favour," Bowman said.
He is not convinced Laser Hawk, the favourite, will manage the 2400m on the basis of his breeding. Laser Hawk is a half-brother by Artie Schiller to Desert War (by Desert King), who was unable to win over 2400m.
"Laser Hawk has got to be respected but Desert War couldn't get a mile and a-half [2400m]." The progeny of Artie Schiller have performed mainly to 1600m in Australia and North America.
• Gavin Smith has the drive on Seven Point One at Alexandra Park tomorrow night.
Brett Thomas drove the Phil Burrows-trained 2yr-old filly when she won a heat of the Sires' Stakes at Addington on March 16.
Smith will also drive Pacific Rapture for Burrows in the $150,000 Yearling Sales Pace on April 27. Jay Abernethy drove Pacific Rapture to win at Cambridge last Thursday.
• Bronze Hero, who has not raced since early November, won a trial at Gore yesterday.
Results.-
Weather, fine; track, fast.
Two-year-old pacers, mobile, 1700m: McArdle Royale C Barron 1; Flushing Meadows 2; Gold Creek Star 3. Five started.
1L, 2L. Time, 2.10. Trainer, A Paisley.
Qualifying test, pacers, mobile, 2200m: Juliana Belle B Shirley 1; Firest Serve 2; Mariah 3. Six started. Hd, 2L. Time, 2.53.(five qualified). Trainer, W Keeler.
0w pacers, 2200m: Clifton Prize J W Cox 1; Tansy Franco 2; Lycoming Rocket 3. Five started. 2L, hd. Time, 2.56.6.
Trainers, G Anderson and A Hoffman.
0w pacers, mobile, 2200m: Pitbull G Lee 1; Ailsa Patron 2; Onedin Jewel 3. Seven started. Hd, 2L. Time, 2.56.2. Trainers, G and C Lee.
0w trotters, 2200m: Three Strangers B Norman 1; Makarewa Jake 2; The Fiery Filly 3. Five started. L, 1L.
Time, 3.01.2. Trainer, B Norman.
1w+ trotters, mobile, 2200m: Jaccka Justy J W Cox 1; Bolton Earl 2. Two started. 25L. Time, 2.49.9. Trainer, C Smaill.
0w+ pacers, mobile, 2200m: Bronze Hero R Swain 1; Jaccka Nat 2; Yeah Right 3. Six started. L, 2L. Time, 2.52.7.
Trainers, G and J Knight.
