Fortunately for the John Shelton-trained Suchabimbo, speed from the barriers is one of the gelding’s major assets.
The in-form four-year-old lines up at Coffs Harbour on Thursday in an 811m scamper, the Watt Formwork Class 3 Handicap.
“He’s a horse with plenty of early speed, he can get along quickly,” Grafton-based Shelton said.
“I’m not worried about the trip, he’ll handle that, the barrier (14) though might be a problem.
“Hopefully being wide might be the place to be.
“Last start we rode him a bit quieter. He hit the line very good.
“There looks to be plenty of speed tomorrow, we might just sit off them a bit early and let him finish the race off.”
Two starts back at Casino on May 27, Suchabimbo pinged the gates to lead throughout for a dominant four-length win then last start at Grafton on June 10, the son of Nidan trailed the leaders before chiming in at the 200m and going down a length to Landuncan in a 1100m Class 3 handicap.
Suchabimbo is named after the late Sucha Singh and raced by a syndicate headed by Adam Bancroft and including Singh’s son, Mitchell.
This preparation the gelding has struck a rich vein of form with a win and three placings from his past four starts, with an overall record of three wins and four placings from 14 starts.
“He’s been ultra-consistent, going real good this time in,” Shelton said.
“He had a few foot issues (pedal bone) but we’ve tried different shoeing and it’s rectified the problem.
“He’s a solid bugger, thick set, a real sprinter.
“The boys (owners), all young blokes, are having a lot of fun with him.
Shelton has given Suchabimbo an easy time since Grafton.
“I don’t do a lot with him in between runs,” he said.
“He’s hard fit. We just keep him ticking over.
“The horse is good, trained on terrific.”
Stable rider Matthew Paget takes over the reins tomorrow after Chris Whiteley and Terry Treichel have been aboard at Suchabimbo’s last two starts.
Shelton is eyeing several minor races for the gelding during the Grafton July carnival.
AAP TURF