Tasmanian trainer Scott Brunton is tipping a jaunt down to Goulburn will have The Inevitable flying high for Rosehill‘s $7.5 million Golden Eagle.
The Inevitable ($8) has been laying low at Paul Fudge’s property at Moss Vale since winning the $500,000 Silver Eagle (1400m) on October 12.
But a brief change of scenery is on the cards, with Brunton booking in the pint-sized gelding for a training gallop at Goulburn on Thursday.
“He loves a little trip away,” he told Sky Sports Radio.
“It’ll do him the world of good. It’ll be like three gallops to him.”
The Inevitable has enjoyed himself at Moss Vale, stacking on some extra weight after qualifying for the Golden Eagle by beating Fasika and Mizzy in the prelude at Randwick.
“He’s put on a few kilos,” Brunton said.
“So we just felt possibly a trip out to Goulburn for a grass gallop … would be perfect.”
But his trainer insists he’s in better nick than a fortnight ago after transport hiccups threatened to derail his Silver Eagle preparation.
Once back from Goulburn, he’ll likely have one more gallop last on Tuesday before resting up for the race restricted to four-year-olds on November 2.
Brunton said it would be an honour to secure the Silver-Golden Eagle double but is wary of the elite competition, with entrants expected to need a rating of at least 100 to guarantee a start in the 18-strong field.
“We understand that there’s some very big fish in the pond,” he said.
“We’re just hoping we’re as good as them if not better.”
Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Brutal still leads the betting at $3.80, while Everest runners Arcadia Queen ($4.20) and Classique Legend ($5) aren’t far behind.
Sunlight ($13) will also back up despite running 10th, one spot ahead of Arcadia Queen, in the $14 million sprint.
Trainer Tony McEvoy admitted the mare “ran below what we expected”, but said vets had cleared her to push on this campaign.
It’ll be Sunlight’s first start beyond 1200m, with McEvoy using the run to gauge her potential as a miler.
“If she clearly is not effective at that distance then she’ll never go there again,” he said.
Distance isn’t a worry for trainer Anthony Cummings, though, with his $21 chance Mizzy already tested at the trip when fourth in the Coolmore at Rosehill in March.
“She’s only been a length and a half or thereabouts away in a Group One race over 1500m,” he said.
“Distance and track obviously not an issue and going the best she has so far.”
Cummings said a decision is imminent on who will replace unavailable jockey Tim Clark, who rode Mizzy to third in the Silver Eagle.