Giadresco’s charge ‘ready’

Gelorup trainer Matt Giadresco believes Puck Shapeshifter is primed to win today’s $17,500 Turner Builders and Precast Handicap (1208m) at the Bunbury Turf Club.

The four-year-old chestnut gelding is third up from a three month spell, having placed twice in Bunbury since returning in November.

But Puck Shapeshifter will tackle the 1200m for just the second time in his 13-race career, where he will be hoping to grab a second career victory.

Giadresco said Puck Shapeshifter had a good run on December 4, when he lost by a head to Two For Twenty Two at Bunbury.

“He is ready for a win,” he said.

“That is definitely a race he can go close in. You can just see he is knocking on the door.”

Jarrad Noske will take the ride for the second time on Thursday, with regular hoop William Pike suspended for careless riding at Ascot last week.

“Pike does usually ride Puck but he took the day off last time he was up,” he said.

Giadresco said he was confident Puck Shapeshifter could grab the victory despite racing a longer distance than he is used too.

“I am confident he will put in a good run,” he said.

“It is a bit of a stretch for him, 1100m is more his go.

“Should he win this though he will go up to Class 3.”

Stablemate, A Patch On Knee, will be hoping to claim a maiden win in his second career race when he takes to the track earlier in the day.

The four-year-old chestnut gelding will ride in the $15,000 Ductworks Maiden (1208m), after a poor showing at Bunbury last month.

Giadresco said A Patch On Knee was still “green” but had talent.

“He had a horror first up ride where he got caught wide,” he said.

“But the horse can run, he was just a bit green.”

Giadresco has put the blinkers on for the second time, despite him over racing in his last start.

Jason Whiting will take the saddle, with Giadresco saying he has good hands to take the inexperienced thoroughbred.

The first race at the Bunbury Turf Club will jump at 1.15pm.