Gray confident Itsallbelt will hit the ground running
A SOLID lead-up trial has boosted trainer Kevin Gray’s confidence in Itsallbelt’s first-up prospects at Waverley on Thursday.
Gray, who co-bred and part-owns the gelding alongside his wide Kathleen said the horse has the ability to win after a long layoff.
“He’s been working quite well and I took him to Foxton the other day and he finished third over 1200 metres so I was very happy with him,” Kevin Gray said.
“He’s quite close to the mark and my apprentice Casey-Mae Waddell will ride him and get four kilos off, which will be a big help. She hasn’t had a winner yet, but she does ride well.”
Itsallbelt, who will resume in the Iplex Pipelines 1650, won four races in a row during his last preparation before he went for a break.
Gray said he was reluctant to turn the horse out given the streak it was on, but decided against running it on surfaces that would not suit.
“He’s a great old horse and he was in a purple patch of form. The tracks were starting to firm up so I gave him a break, he’s a real wet tracker,” he said.
Itsallbelt’s efforts last year also attracted the attention of overseas interests, including a number of parties from across the Tasman.
Gray was prepared to tell the prospective buyers what they may not have wanted to hear.
“I had some people from Australia who wanted to buy him for a jumper,” Gray said.
“I told them I didn’t think he would stand a jumping preparation, but they were still keen.
“I got him vetted by John O’Brien and he said he thought he’d be okay on the flat, but his joints wouldn’t stand up to jumping so I’m still happy to have him.”
Following his resuming run at Waverley, Itsallbelt is likely to step up to a middle distance, which the trainer believes will be well within its grasp.
“I’ve got my eye on the Parliamentary Handicap at Wellington for him.”