A gene test performed on Gundec has altered the thoughts the colt’s trainer Symon Wilde.
Purchased to run in the Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington last year, Gundec has returned this campaign to win twice, over shorter trip.
After scoring over 1209m at Geelong first-up, Gundec added the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) to his record on Saturday,
Ridden by Joe Bowditch, Gundec ($5) scored by a half-length from the early leader Asymmetrical ($6.50) with Sharp Response ($5.50) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Wilde, who won earlier in the day with dead-heater Sirileo Miss in the Bendigo Gold Bracelet, said a gene test performed on Gundec following the Derby, in which the colt finished 12th behind Hitotsu, pointed to the three-year-old being a better galloper over a shorter trip.
“We bought him to run in the Derby and he got there, but we did a speed gene test on him, and it showed that he might be better, more effective, over shorter trips,” Wilde said.
“We’ve trained him that way and he’s been really sharp.
“The first-up win was good. I think the favourite (Cardigan Queen) was following him today, but he showed a great turn of foot and up to 1400 (metres) today he took the race by the scruff of the neck and he’s hard to get past.”
Wilde said it was likely that Gundec would be gradually stepped up in trip, but he was unlikely to go beyond 2000m again.
He said there may be a suitable race for Gundec at next month’s Adelaide Carnival.
Bowditch said Gundec’s best quality was his relaxed nature.
“For a colt, he doesn’t turn a hair, he doesn’t look at another horse, he’s just so casual and laid back and just conserves energy,” Bowditch said.
“He’s a nice horse and he’s capable of winning a nice race in town.”