By Alan Carasso
Gun Pit (Aus) (Dubawi {Ire}) pleased trainer Caspar Fownes with a piece of fast work over the Sha Tin all-weather track Friday morning, and should all go well in an official barrier trial next week, the gelding will make the trans-Pacific journey to Santa Anita for the GI Las Vegas Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 4.
The 6-year-old, perfect in seven appearances on the dirt surface in Hong Kong, ventured overseas last March and punched his ticket to the G1 Dubai World Cup with a strong runner-up effort in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge – R3 at Meydan. The bay was set to represent Hong Kong in the inaugural Keeneland Korea Cup Sept. 11, but Fownes decided to pass that event, citing the deeper and sandier track at Seoul. Connections have often likened the surface at Santa Anita to that of the Sha Tin all-weather.
Though he has not trialled since late August, Gun Pit has turned in a pair of searching gallops this month, including Friday, when he capped off 800 meters of exercise in a smart :24.3.
“Gun Pit has had a few little setbacks in his preparation with internal bleeding but he seems right now,” Fownes told South China Morning Post. “His gallop this morning was really good and he has scoped clean after it. He'll have a solid hit out in his trial next week and, if he trials like we know he can, then the trip is on.”
Fownes added that he has been assured by Breeders' Cup officials that Gun Pit will have a spot in the field for the Dirt Mile and that jockey Zac Purton will have the right of first refusal.
“I spoke to him about it this morning and he isn't 100% sure at the moment because he might have a ride in Melbourne that weekend, but I reckon if the horse trials big next week for him Zac will jump at the chance to ride at a Breeders' Cup,” Fownes told SCMP.
Purton, who will pilot Gun Pit in next week's trial, has been in the saddle for six of the Australian-bred's eight career victories.
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