Dividing time between hairdressing and horse training, Carly Cook enjoyed a career highlight when Pintoff captured the Listed Tobin Brothers Bel Esprit Stakes (1000m) at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday.
Ridden by John Allen, the 6yo son of Toorak Toff finished hard under his top weight to defeat Starry Legend (Zoustar) by a short-neck with Katsu (Mikii Isle) a nose back in third.
Now two for two since switching to Cook, Pintoff defeated Away Game in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes in August 2021.
A homebred for Peter Sandars and partners, the Pintoff advances his record to eight wins and two seconds from 17 starts with earnings of $483,700.
Sandars said jockey Josh Cartwright convinced him to give Cook a chance with Pintoff, who is allergic to pollen and dust and was set to be retired.
“Josh did a bit of work for Chris Waller with Nature Strip, who has the same thing,” Sandars told Racing.com.
“Waller told Josh how to treat it, and he’s done the same thing with him.”
Cook said it seems to have done the trick
“He stays out of the dust. We keep everything damp, and he comes in at night. He comes into a box made of cardboard,” Cook said.
“It shows we’re doing everything right with him. His work during the week was brilliant, and he’s improved from his last run.
“I can’t thank Peter enough for giving me the care of the horse. I’m also thinking of Will Price, who rode him last start, and the devastating time he’s had with the passing of his mother.”
Pintoff is the best of five winners from as many to race for the unraced pins mare Pinsahoy who was pensioned after Pintoff.
