Big grey galloper It’s A Bit Shady (Jason Whiting) put the opposition into the shade with a powerful win in the Del Basso Smallgoods Italian Day Handicap (1600m).
The win was the favourite’s second and most impressive victory from five starts (with two seconds as well) and he ambled away from them to score by two and a half lengths.
Bantry Belle and Grand Vision filled the places but never looked like catching the pacemaker.
Trainer Stan Bates admitted he didn’t expect to see his grey lead but was happier to see Whiting go forward rather than back from barrier nine.
Bates expects It’s A Bit Shady to appreciate even more ground but will nevertheless start him over 1400m in three weeks time because “there is nothing else suitable for him.”
Bates conceded that his last start second to Back To A Walk over 1400m saw that horse being a bit too sharp a sprinter for his gelding. “But I would like to meet him over 2000m,” Bates said.
“He is a lovely horse to train and there are no issues with him,” the trainer said.
Part-owner Bert Pierre said he was purchased for $20,000 by six racing mates.
“I put the word out that I wanted a Bradbury’s Luck sired galloper, being a fan of Luckygray, and he is the result.”
Even so Pierre and Bates were aghast when the grey arrived from Queensland looking like a hat rack- clearly not a good long distance traveller by road.
However, he has thrived since and this galloper should be a promising prospect in the Belmont Guineas (1600m) on June 22.
18.5.13