All roads lead to winter carnival for Eagle Farm winner Gundy Son
 TIGHT FINISH: Damian Browne (The Jackal) looks across to find he has been pipped by Paul Hammersley on Gundy Son. Picture: Peter Bull Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld) |
Story by Garry Legg
From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
LEADING trainer Robert Heathcote took the hard path and now all roads lead to the winter carnival with Gundy Son after his narrow win at Eagle Farm yesterday.
Heathcote could have run Gundy Son in the easier Class 6 on the program but opted to tackle Open company in the Brothers Juniors Rugby Club Handicap 1200m.
Gundy Son was backing up from last Saturday when his saddle slipped and he finished a luckless fourth in what was a huge run under the circumstances.
It was a narrow but valuable win for the five-year-old, who held off a determined challenge from top weight The Jackal ($6.50) to score by a head, with Casholet ($7.50) a half length away third.
The win at Quality level will elevate Gundy Son's rating for the bigger sprints during the winter carnival. Rob and ‘Cutter’ made the right call and he took the expected step up to open company in thrilling style!
"It was a big call because he's eligible for easier races, but winning this race will open some doors over the carnival," Heathcote said.
"I haven't picked anything out specifically for him, but there are some nice sprints and this win will lift him above a lot of other horses. Races like the Eyeliner stakes at Ipswich, the Glasshouse at Caloundra and even the Ramornie at Grafton could be nice options during the carnival and that win will raise his rating to a level to ensure he gets a start in the better races.
"We'll give him a bit of a break now and bring him back and look at his options."
Gundy Son ($5) was beautifully ridden by Paul Hammersley. He stood in for Larry Cassidy, who was ill from wasting. Favourite Tierqualo ($2.90) sat outside the leader The Sixties and battled on well to finish fourth. That win takes his earning to about $270,000 from his 26 race starts and on his current form, no reason why he shouldn’t be adding to that tally when he comes back in!
