Unbeaten mare GIN ‘N’ BITTERS faces her stiffest test to date when she tackles the Listed Chief De Beers Handicap at the Sunshine Coast tonight.
In what looks a very strong field on paper , the speedy mare will be up against track record holder TARZAN , the emerging EMERALD KINGDOM , as well as seasoned sprinters BADAJOZ and JUST ORM to name a few.
GIN ‘N’ BITTERS resumed from a spell with a tough win over the same course and distance in April but took a little bit longer than usual to recover with trainer Billy Healey electing to give her a short let up.
“It was a tough effort to win first up on a soft track. She was three wide for most of the trip , but even though she shifted in late , she was still strong through the line “ said Healey.
“It just took a little bit out of her , and because of her history of bleeding , I didn’t want to push her too hard “added Healey.
“We have always thought she would progress to Open Class and we did have our eye on these black type races at the start of the preparation” added Healey.
“It is a huge jump in grade coming out of a Wednesday Class 3 , but she deserves her chance in this field , and I am confident they will know she is there for a long way”.
For owners Lang Brothers Racing , each time the mare steps out is a bonus , given she was originally headed to the breeding barn.
“The story surrounding her purchase online is well known by now given what she has done on the track but we are just thrilled she looks up to this grade “ said part owner Matt Lang.
“It has been a while since we have had a horse capable of running at this level so it is exciting ”.
The Lang Brothers have certainly tasted racing at the elite level, notably with multiple Group 1 winning sprinter BRAZEN BEAU and classy mare GIRL SUNDAY who ran second in the 2018 Millie Fox Stakes behind the classy DAYSEE DOOM.
“Stu and I obviously aim to have horses racing in these type of races and this mare certainly looks capable of making the grade on what she has shown us to date “ said Lang.
“But we are under no allusions of the challenge ahead of her tonight“ conceded Lang
Asked if she was capable of toppling her much more fancied rivals , Lang was a little bit more pragmatic.
“We know she is unbeaten over the 1000m , it’s her home track and Billy has done a great job to have her in top top shape heading into tonight’s race. I have seen worse 20/1 chances “.
GIN N BITTERS is currently rated a $19 chance with most online bookmakers and hasn’t featured in much pre race chatter.
“ We are just hoping she can make her presence felt tonight and show us she is capable of running in this grade going forward” concluded Lang.
The Listed CHIEF DE BEERS HCP is set to jump at 7.45pm tonight at the Sunshine Coast .
