Living up to expectations Inevitable

TASMANIA’S pocket rocket galloper The Inevitable resumes racing at Flemington today in the $1.25 million Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.

Considered one of the toughest sprint races on the national calendar, trainer Scott Brunton is not concerned by the enormity of the assignment, in fact he says his pintsize pony deserves his place in the field and punters have rallied to have him installed the fifth line of betting at $10.

The Inevitable showed his worth by winning the Group 3 C.S. Hayes Stakes at Flemington this time last year.

“It’s a big ask having a crack at one of the best sprint races on the calendar but he is a special horse and I’m hoping he can live up to my expectations,” Brunton said.

Today the Dundeel gelding has drawn favourable in gate 13, which is on the outside of the track where the going is expected to be an advantage.

When the corporate bookies opened betting on the race The Inevitable was a $15 chance but he firmed to $9 before easing out to $10 late yesterday when the money came for the Hawkes-trained threeyear-old Exceedance ($5 into $4.50 fav). Exceedance had great form in Sydney before winning the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1200m) at Flemington last November.

Another three-year-old, Loving Gabby ($5), also has been heavily backed. Brett Prebble will partner The Inevitable that will carry 54.5kg and the rider is confident.

“I’ve not ridden the horse before but he’s already won up the straight at Flemington and on what I’ve seen of him I wouldn’t want to swap him for any other runner,” Prebble said.