Tasmanian trainer Scott Brunton admitted he had concerns over the condition of The Inevitable ahead of his victory at The Valley.
Travelling overnight on Thursday via ferry from Devonport to Melbourne, Brunton explained The Inevitable had lost weight and was in a cranky mood on-course on Saturday.
After a slow beginning and then circling the field, The Inevitable proved his class racing to a commanding victory in the Listed Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Stakes.
Ridden by Craig Williams, The Inevitable, the $2.90 favourite, scored by four lengths from Deprive ($4.40) with Spirit Of Valour ($21) a half length away third.
“I told all the owners today I don’t think he’s right,” Brunton said.
“He seems a little bit off, a little bit tucked up from the trip, he’s been in a mood and then he’s missed the start.
“His bloods say there is improvement to come and hence why I worried so much when he tucked up.
“There’s still work to be done and I say we got away with it today.”
The Inevitable will return to Brunton’s base in Tasmania at Seven Mile Beach to prepare for his next target.
Long term Brunton is eyeing the inaugural running of the $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill but the trainer is now in two minds what to do with the gelding.
“We were thinking about going to the Sir Rupert Clarke (at Caulfield in two weeks), but this has really tucked him up this trip so I think we might have to be a bit conservative,” Brunton said.
“It was going to be the Rupert Clarke into the Golden Eagle, but we’ll see how he goes.
“I think the horse is capable of doing anything that we set him for.”
