Making his first start in nearly a year, 2017 G2 Todman S. winner Gunnison (Aus) (Not a Single Doubt {Aus}) turned in a respectable effort in a Class 2 handicap over the Sha Tin all-weather track, finishing 3 1/4 lengths adrift of the victorious Blocker Dee (Aus) (Hidden Dragon {Aus}) in seventh in the 1200-metre heat.
Sent off a $7.70 chance, Gunnison displayed decent speed from gate seven to be part of the mix early on, but gradually drifted back into about sixth position as the field hit the turn. Shuffled back a couple spots on the circle, he was pulled out about five wide at the top of the lane and finished his final 400 metres in a solid :22.83 while making up a few lengths on his rivals (video, saddle towel #7). The final time of 1:08.17 was inside class standard by 0.18 seconds.
Originally an A$850,000 Inglis Easter Yearling graduate, Gunnison was part of a select group entered for the inaugural Inglis Chairman's Sale of Elite Racing Prospects and topped that select group on a bid of A$1.4 million.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
