Joe Pride is the first to admit that Bullets High isn’t the complete package, but the three-year-old’s effort to rally for a gutsy win at Warwick Farm has all but earned him a Group One shot.
A son of former top stayer Ace High, Bullets High was headed by eventual runner-up Gottabesavvy in the Native Trail @ Darley Handicap (2130m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday before raising another effort to score.
Pride said it was that combination of untapped ability and stamina that made it difficult to resist giving Bullets High a shot at the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week.
“I hate using the old racing cliches but they’re only three once,” Pride said.
“He’s going to have a spell after it anyway. If he is eating and doing well during the week, I think I’ll send him up.
“He has already been to Queensland once this prep and it didn’t dent the sides. He is a pretty tough horse, he’s just not too bright.”
Bullets High, who races in the same colours as former top racemare Private Steer, has been a work in progress for his trainer.
However, Pride said there was no questioning the horse’s ability and the fact the first two home at Warwick Farm gapped the third horse by three lengths with more than 20 lengths between first and seventh, augured well.
“They are strung out to the point where you think, well that was a good staying test, and it probably tells you a fair bit,” Pride said.
“He showed that one quality that a lot of the horses won’t have in the Derby and that’s the ability to stay a trip.
“He won’t always be this stupid and lack this much race craft.
“He is working it out and he’s got good ability, we can all see that.”
Provided he pleases Pride during the week, Bullets High will join stablemate Think About It on the float to Queensland next week after the Everest winner ticked the final box for a trip north with a solid barrier trial performance on Tuesday.
Think About It is headed to the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) on the Derby program and will be chasing back-to-back wins in the sprint.
What a win by Bullets High at Warwick Farm! 😮@aus_turf_club @PrideRacing @clarkyhk pic.twitter.com/0saMu07YRJ
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 22, 2024
