Patient handling looks set to pay off for the connections of Fully Lit, with the 2024 Inglis Millennium hero scheduled to have just his second run in a year when he contests Saturday’s Switzerland @ Coolmore Handicap (1200m) at Randwick.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott explains the Hellbent gelding has enjoyed an extended spell for physical development rather than through injury concerns.
“After the two-year-old campaign, it just took him a while to develop and strengthen up to where we needed him to be to make that improvement at three,” Bott said.
Early this term the stable gave him a couple of Sydney trials and a Melbourne jump-out before another quick paddock break.
Fully Lit finally resurfaced at Rosehill last month, finishing a sound fourth over 1200 m on heavy ground, a run Bott expects will bring him on nicely.
“He had that first-up run and he was probably in need of that. Second-up here he should show some improvement in his fitness,” Bott said.
“We have put the blinkers on Saturday to sharpen him up as well. He is working like he might get out a little bit further later in the prep.”
Rachel King pilots Fully Lit from the inside draw.
Stablemate Bases Loaded resumes as a gelding in the Civic Stakes (1400m), having previously chased home Pericles first-up in last spring’s Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). Bott notes circumstances are different this time.
“That was off a quick turnaround from Queensland so he had a bit of residual fitness, whereas he is coming off a decent break here,” he said.
The team will look toward the Winter Stakes and similar races as Bases Loaded progresses in trip.
Imported stayer Shamarkand makes his local debut over 1800 m in The Living Turf Handicap. A Listed 2400 m winner in France, Bott concedes the trip will be short of his best: “He has been one-paced in his trials. He is straight off over the 1800 and that might still be a bit short of his best but he will improve with racing.”
Punters eyeing Fully Lit, Bases Loaded or Shamarkand can compare odds and promos at Australia’s leading betting sites before raceday.