A solid lead-up trial has boosted confidence in Itsallbelt’s first-up prospects at Waverley on Thursday.
“He’s been working quite well and I took him to Foxton the other day and he finished third over 1200 metres so I was very happy with him,” said trainer Kevin Gray, who co-bred and part-owns the gelding with his wife Kathleen.
Itsallbelt, who will resume in the Iplex Pipelines 1650, won four races in a row during his last preparation before he went for a break.
“He’s a great old horse and he was in a purple patch of form. The tracks were starting to firm up so I gave him a break, he’s a real wet tracker,” Gray said.Itsallbelt’s efforts last year also attracted the attention of overseas interests.
“I had some people from Australia who wanted to buy him for a jumper,” Gray said. “I told them I didn’t think he would stand a jumping preparation, but they were still keen.“I got him vetted by John O’Brien and he said he thought he’d be okay on the flat, but his joints wouldn’t stand up to jumping so I’m still happy to have him.”
Following his resuming run at Waverley, Itsallbelt is likely to step up to a middle distance.“I’ve got my eye on the Parliamentary Handicap at Wellington for him,” Gray said.