Race finally arrives for Anderson
Brad Stewart will ride Mishani Bullitt who gets out to 1600 metres at the Sunshine Coast.
Trainer Chris Anderson admits he has rarely been so keen for a race to be run than the one he has picked out for Mishani Bullitt at the Sunshine Coast.
The gelding runs in a small but quality Three-Year-Old Handicap (1600m) on Saturday in which he will clash with another couple of promising types, Rancho Montoya and Was It Worth It.
Mishani Bullitt was a strong winner against older horses first-up at Doomben in mid-August.
He was hampered by big weights at his next two starts for a fourth and a third in three-year-old company over 1350m at Doomben.
But Anderson has always had the Sunshine Coast race in mind as Mishani Bullitt’s main spring mission.
At his only start over 1600m, Mishani Bullitt finished fourth, 1-1/4 lengths from the winner Capital Gain, in the Group One J J Atkins Stakes during the winter carnival.
“I have said all along that you wouldn’t see the best of him until he gets to the 1600 metres. He is a big horse and the racing has done him the world of good,” Anderson said.
“This race will dictate exactly what we do but I am keen to set him for the Magic Millions Guineas. The prize money he can pick up on Saturday will also help with that.”
Mishani Bullitt had already won $118,000 but the $40,000 first prize on Saturday would take him close to being out of the danger zone for Magic Millions Guineas qualification.
He will be ridden by regular partner Brad Stewart and Anderson is confident Mishani Bullitt will appreciate getting back to the roomy Sunshine Coast track where he has a win and two minor placings from three starts.
“I think he will relish getting back on a big track but you have to be careful in small fields which can have a tricky early pace or lack of it,” Anderson said.