Centre Pivot and Ninth Legion to return

A return to racing for Centre Pivot and Ninth Legion for the first time since January hinges on summer-like weather in Sydney this week.

With Randwick rated heavy on Tuesday, trainer Peter Robl was hoping the forecast was accurate with rain predicted to fall sparingly at worst before Saturday’s meeting.

Centre Pivot has already had his comeback delayed a fortnight because of wet tracks while Ninth Legion is also not adept on heavy tracks.

Robl has both veterans nominated for the Winter Dash (1200m) but said Randwick would have to be upgraded for them to run.

“Fingers crossed for a nice week. If it gets to a slow they’ll be running,” Robl said.

He was encouraged Centre Pivot’s trial form with the six-year-old winning the second and latest trial of this campaign at Randwick on June 2.

Centre Pivot shaded the Bjorn Baker-trained Sir Plush – one of the ex-pat New Zealanders’ three winners at Rosehill last weekend – by a half-head.

“He’s in good order. We’ll play it by ear with him and see how he runs first-up and map out a program on which way we want to go with him,” Robl said.

He said Centre Pivot would look to step up to a mile this preparation.

Robl said Ninth Legion would ideally get back in race mode briefly over winter, adding to his 51 starts before another spell.

“He’ll have a couple of runs in the winter and then a freshen-up and come back for the spring when the tracks are in a better condition for him,” he said.

“He’s a lovely horse, a pleasure to deal with. We can’t fault him.”

Robl said the seven-year-old, who has won four-black type races between 1350m and 1550m, would also target longer distances

“He’ll probably step up to seven furlongs,” he said.