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By Ray Hickson

What happens this month, starting with the Fujitsu General Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday, will determine John O’Shea’s plans for next month with consistent four-year-old Pizarro.

Yet to miss a place in eight starts, the gelding has shown his ceiling is still well above him and O’Shea said while he’s only had one public trial, he’s also had a recent jump out, he’s ready to race.

“He looks to be going along well, James (McDonald) was happy with him in his trial,’’ O’Shea said.

“He’s not a horse we overwork but he seems to have a good base of fitness. Importantly for him he’s drawn well so hopefully Tom (Berry) can give him a good run in transit.”

Pizarro, $3.50 with TAB on Friday, went for a break after an easy win over 1200m at Randwick back in August and, perhaps significantly, his previous win was on a soft 7 at Rosehill.

O’Shea said Saturday’s race is a suitable kick off point and now it’s up to the horse to work his way through the grades.

“It’ll be dependant upon what happens in January but there’s some lovely races in February,’’ he said.

Pizarro's Randwick trial on December 13

“There are some Listed and Group 3 races at 1200m and 1400m at Randwick in February and that’s where we think is going to be best placed.

“If he can put his hand up there are some nice races for him.

“I think he is probably a bit better horse at Randwick than Rosehill because of his racing pattern. But where he’s drawn will allow him to race how he likes to race.”

Evergreen stayer Berdibek will be out to atone for his demotion from second place in the Summer Cup when he contests the Listed $160,000 Schweppes January Cup (2000m).

The grey’s best form is on good tracks so the ground at Rosehill will be important but O’Shea said last start was probably one that got away as he made his run a bit earlier than planned before being run down by stablemate Diamil.

“He should never have been in that predicament, he could have been on the back of Diamil turning for home and that would have got him to where he needed to go,’’ he said.

“He let down a bit quick and as a result hung in a little but and cost himself a win and ultimately a placing on the podium.

“We were happy with him right the way through the prep. His first two runs were unsuitable in terms of trip and where he drew. When he got to 10 furlongs, on good ground we knew he was going to put in and he didn’t let us down.”

It’s been a bit over a year since Berdibek’s last win, the 2021 Wyong Cup, and while he hasn’t won below a soft 5 he has a second on a heavy 8 at Rosehill over the 2000m in his form.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting