3 minute read

How good is Red Fifty Three?

That's the burning question for trainer Grant Williams ahead of his return at Pinjarra on Sunday.

Early signs suggest he has more than his fair share of ability after he tore up Belmont Park last September with three wins from as many starts.

Williams is certain to get a better gauge on where Red Fifty Three is at when he puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m).

"Obviously we have an unblemished record at the moment, three from three," Williams said on Tabradio.

"I'm not sure how good this horse is and I think his record flatters him a little bit, although he is handy enough.

"How good were the horses that he was beating when he won his first three? I'm not really sure.

"We'll find out that out tomorrow (Sunday)."

Out to block Red Fifty Three's unbeaten status is the Luke Fernie-trained Spin The Knife.

A brilliant winner at his previous start carrying 60.5kg, the Snippetson gelding is the raging $1.55 favourite.

At set weights and penalties, Spin The Knife drops to 56.5kg and with his electric gate speed he has drawn ideally in barrier four.

Red Fifty Three is the $8 second elect with Pixie Chix next at $9.

Williams said Red Fifty Three had bounced out of his warm-up trial in good order and with a gear change he's confident of an improved effort.

"He never missed anything in the feed bin," Williams said.

"He is a good worker and a good doer.

"He'll take good benefit from that trial.

"With the blinkers on it really does help him.

"He worked with them the other day and got real good improvement."

Adding another layer of difficulty for Red Fifty Three is barrier 11 in the 12 horse line up.

Williams isn't understating the difficulty in toppling Spin The Knife, but cautioned the popular pick with punters can't afford to make any mistakes.

"I'm not overly confident that we can win, but the favourite wouldn't want to do anything too wrong I would have thought."