A Stakes winner is anticipated for Shady Thinker, but the Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor-trained galloper has a lesser race to overcome first at Morphettville.
The five-year-old, a son of So You Think, is set to line up in the MM Electrical Handicap (1600m) on Saturday, and Bain indicated he would be surprised if the gelding is defeated.
Shady Thinker is also nominated for the Listed John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Tuesday. However, Bain currently favours the benchmark 72 contest on Saturday for the gelding’s current campaign stage.
“He’s looking for the mile, and possibly further,” Bain stated.
“He’s nominated for the John Letts on Tuesday over 1800 metres, but we’ll more than likely run on Saturday, given it’s too hard a race to pass up.”
Bain further commented, “I’d be disappointed if when he retires that he hasn’t won a Stakes race of some sort and that might be a 1600-metre, 1800-metre race.”
“He wouldn’t be out of place in a John Letts, but Saturday’s race on the way through in that grade, is too hard to pass up.”
He added, “There’s our summer carnival early next year, so there’s plenty of time.”
Shady Thinker has achieved three wins and two placings from his 10 career starts. Bain noted the gelding’s distinct aversion to wet tracks.
Last year, Bain transported the horse to Sydney, where he performed adequately at Rosehill before encountering a wet track at Kembla Grange, resulting in a disappointing effort.
“When he came back from New South Wales, he had a few little niggles and needed a little bit of time,” Bain explained.
“He’s a very talented galloper. His first two runs back this preparation were on soft tracks.”
“We had a long and extended winter here and we had to run him in those races for fitness purposes and it wasn’t until third-up that he saw a dry track and ran very well.”
“Then fourth-up, last start, he should have won, and I’d be very surprised getting out to the mile if he got beaten on Saturday.”
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