Like everybody else, trainer Chris Anderson is well aware of the carrot that is being dangled at the end of the $250 000 The Gateway, which will be contested over 1400m at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The horse that gets to the line first in The Gateway will be exempt from the ballot for the 2021 Stradbroke, which is a mighty reward in itself.
Anderson has his well performed four-year-old gelding Profit engaged in the race but, while it would obviously be good to have that win … and the option it brings … behind your name, Anderson is quick to point out that The Gateway is not the primary target along the route that he is currently asking Profit to follow.
“Getting into the Stradbroke is not our primary target in going this way,” explained Anderson. “It a hidden part of what we are trying to achieve. The ultimate aim is for Profit to get to the 1800m race … The Wave … at the Gold Coast in January.”
Profit’s last start was a first-up effort, after a six-month spell, in the Recognition Stakes on November 28 where he finished in a highly creditable third placing behind The Harrovian (who was winning for the tenth time in a row) and Red Chase (who is an eight-time winner). So, Profit certainly wasn’t dodging anybody when he resumed.
“He has come through that run really well,” confirmed Anderson, “and Eagle Farm will suit him.”
Profit has raced seven times at Eagle Farm for two wins, three runner-up finishes and a third … and he has a win and two seconds from three starts over Saturday’s track and distance.
“We’ve drawn a good gate,” continued Anderson. “I’ll leave it to Matt (McGillivray) where we are going to be. I suggest we will be making use of the good gate … but we won’t have him too close. His better pattern is to sit in midfield. Hopefully they will run along. It looks like they will do. There are a couple there with good speed.
“He has also won second-up before, so that is another box ticked. He’ll present beautifully on Saturday. If he doesn’t win … well, it is not his grand final!
“Obviously, it would be nice to see him win but, either way, we will just keep heading along the pathway we have chosen. After Saturday that path includes The Bernborough, two weeks later, and then into The Wave again two weeks after the Bernborough.”
One race before The Gateway Anderson will saddle Boomtime Lass in the Listed Bribie Handicap.
In the last twelve months Boomtown Lass has raced twelve times and has finished in the first three on nine of those occasions. Including runs before that time period her overall record shows six wins and no less than ten second placed finishes from twenty-five starts.
“I’m not worried about her second placings,” volunteered Anderson. “I’d love to have a stable full of horses like her.
“She was a $20 000 yearling purchase and her earnings are rising towards $500 000 now … so, we’ll never be critical of a horse like her.”
*The Bribie Handicap is race 7 on the Eagle Farm card on Saturday. The Gateway is race 8.
