By Alan Carasso
Gun Pit (Aus) (Dubawi {Ire}) remained on track Tuesday to become the second Hong Kong-based runner to take part in the Breeders' Cup, 'winning' a 1200-meter barrier trial with a last-to-first rally. But while everything is going well with the horse, transport to the U.S. could ultimately dash the dreams of an appearance in the GI Dirt Mile Nov. 4.
As for Tuesday's trial, conducted over the Sha Tin dirt track already turned sloppy by the pending arrival of Typhoon Haima, Gun Pit hopped in the air as the gates opened and raced last or near last early while many paths away from the inside and outside of any kickback. Given his cue entering the turn, the gelding made eyecatching progress while very deep, switched leads on cue and rolled home down the middle of the track to score by a widening 1 3/4 lengths before galloping out strongly (video).
“Under the conditions, I was extremely happy,” trainer Caspar Fownes told the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Andrew Hawkins. “There were some nice horses in that trial and he finished off beautifully.[Jockey] Zac [Purton] was very happy too.”
But Fownes was weighing the merits of the run against the rigors of travel.
“There have been a few issues with visas, and at the moment we're trying to figure out the flights,” he explained. “Right now, we've got a flight path that's not ideal, that's going to Anchorage, then to Seattle, then to Los Angeles. That would mean 28 to 30 hours in the air, and that makes it a much tougher trip. So for now, we're trying to work out what is best for the horse. He's in great condition, he's been set for the race, he looks beautiful, and hopefully the next few days fall in our favour.”
Fownes indicated that, assuming everything comes together, Gun Pit would ideally be bedded down at Santa Anita by Sunday, Oct. 23.
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