Jockey Jeff Lloyd threw pre-race plans out the window before rolling to the lead mid race to guide Mishani Bullitt to an overdue win at the Gold Coast.
Lloyd and trainer Chris Anderson had been keen to get a sit off the pace with cover in the Three Year Old (1800m).
But when the leader All Too Huiying slowed the pace, Lloyd swept around the field to lead and then held on to beat Boom Boom Epic ($3.50 fav) by a short neck.
All Too Huiying ($4) was a neck back in third.
Anderson said Mishani Bullitt ($4.80) had been racing very consistently but had been hampered with big weights.
“I decided we needed a strong rider and chased Jeff, who doesn’t ride often for me. He is a great judge of pace and that was the way to go when the pace slowed,” Anderson said.
“Mishani Bullitt has been unlucky in some top races and should have been a lot closer in the Group One J J Atkins in the winter.”
Anderson said Mishani Bullitt would miss the Magic Millions Guineas next week and have a break before coming back for the winter carnival.
“He was 1400m to 1800m today and at least we know he can stay now. They would have been too slick for him the Magic Millions Guineas,” Anderson said.
Lloyd was most impressed with the way Mishani Bullitt fought on.
“The key is that he settles so well when he gets to the lead,” Lloyd said.
