Peter Stennett bullish about New Enterprise, The Albion
His stable has featured in just 27 races this season, but remarkably Darwin trainer Peter Stennett sits third in the Top End premiership with nine wins.
New Enterprise and The Albion have dominated for Stennett with three victories each, and both will be in action at Fannie Bay this Saturday.
New Enterprise, a five-year-old gelding, is backing up after finishing third behind speedy types Fromthenevernever and Global Wonder over 1200m last Friday.
Stennett was concerned that the trip would be too short, as the son of Anacheeva had managed three wins and a third over 1300m and 1600m in his four previous starts.
“Tayla (Pope) said he pulled up great last Friday, she couldn’t find any reason not to back him up,” he said.
“He’s going around again because he’s fit and well.
“No reason not to think that this week, with the extra 100m, he’ll be hard to beat.”
The Albion, a six-year-old gelding, returns after two weeks where he has managed three wins and four seconds from his past seven starts over 1300m and 1600m.
The son of Shamexpress had breathing problems last year due to the weather, so it was off to Port Augusta to race for trainer Darryl Oxlade before returning to the Top End in May.
“He’s flying and going great — he’s won about $110,000 and only cost me $800,” Stennett said.
“The bloke I bought him off said, ‘Mate, he’s not that good’.
“He’d only given him one barrier trial and he never started in a race.
“He carried on like a lunatic in the tie-ups, flipped up, cut his leg — you name it, he did it, but he won first-up.
“In 31 starts he has won six races and has finished second 10 times — he’s been solid and has ability.
“He’s not puffing and he’s handling the weather.
“He’s in a real good vein of form, just very consistent.”
Stennett believes 1600m is the ideal distance for New Enterprise and The Albion, but such races are sparse at this time of year.
There is a 1600m race at 0-64 level that the trainer has identified for The Albion on December 30.
“Unfortunately, there hasn’t been too many 1600m races lately,” he said.
“There’s a lot of horses in Darwin better suited over a mile than 1300m.
“You know what you’re getting into when you bring horses to Darwin, so you’ve got to adapt or you just fall by the wayside.
“New Enterprise has won four races over 1300m, The Albion has won three.
“They’re both a real good chance on Saturday, that’s for sure.
“Hopefully, we can keep New Enterprise and The Albion going over the wet season until the other horses return from a spell.”