Written by Paul Vettise
Scott Brunton is excited and a touch apprehensive as he prepares to steer his star performer The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) into unchartered territory during the diminutive 4-year-old’s imminent autumn campaign.
The Tasmanian trainer has made sure The Inevitable has put in the necessary hard yards to have him conditioned for his first test on Saturday when the gelding, a proven traveller, kicks off in the G1 Seppelt Wines Newmarket H.
Last season, he won down the Flemington straight and then collected the Listed Bendigo Bank S. at The Valley before heading to Sydney where he triumphed in the inaugural Silver Eagle at Randwick.
“We’ve set him to win the Newmarket, that’s the main goal and from there we’ll look at all the options,” Brunton said. “They’re throwing money like it’s no-one’s business here for these sprinting types.
“That’s the beauty – there are so many options. Queensland awaits him and the Stradbroke H. so that’s on the radar. I’ve never had a horse this good either so I’m in unchartered waters really, but it’s nice to be part of it all.”
“I’ve never had a horse this good either so I’m in unchartered waters really, but it’s nice to be part of it all.” – Scott Brunton
The Inevitable has won eight of his 11 starts and has earned more than $680,000, an outstanding return on the $90,000 Brunton’s father David paid to secure him out of Cornerstone Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale in 2017.
He is a son of the Listed Oaklands Plate winner Gift Bouquet (King’s High), who has produced 14 foals and 11 of them have been successful.
They include the G3 Adelaide Guineas winner Blahnik (Jeune {GB}), the Listed Pewsey Vale S. winner Elysees (Statue Of Liberty {USA}) and the multiple stakes placegetter Petman (Lonhro).
The Inevitable as a yearling
Brunton said it would be no easy task to take on the Newmarket, and was respectful of the younger horses, but is happy with the condition that The Inevitable is in for the test.
“I know it’s going to be really hard to beat those 3-year-olds at the weights. We’re a couple of kilos over Loving Gaby and half a-kilo over Exceedance so we are pretty close to them.
“The last time he had a light weight over a sprint trip was at Moonee Valley. He missed the kick and got back third or fourth last and won by 4l running away.
“He missed the kick and got back third or fourth last and won by 4l running away.” – Scott Brunton
“He beat Deprive that day and he went back up to Sydney and he won the consolation of The Everest. You try and tie the form in and he’s run up the straight at Flemington and won convincingly and he’s won around the corner.
“He just needs a bit of room and creates his own luck because he is small.”
Brunton can also rely on The Inevitable’s versatility in the event of a softening of the track.
“When he beat Assertive Approach at Flemington it was a heavy track and they ran really good time. He’s light footed so he gets through it,” he said.
Scott Brunton (left) with The Inevitable
The Inevitable hasn’t raced since he was unplaced in the Golden Eagle and, while he hasn’t got any taller during his time off, had strengthened.
“He hasn’t grown at all, but he has filled out a bit,” Brunton said. “He’s small, but all I can say is that every curve on him and inch of him is muscle, he’s toned. He’s got good confirmation and a good stride.
“I’m really happy with him and he’s had a trial and a jump-out and a lot of work to get him ready for it. It’s a task we’ve set him and he’s as good as I can get him.
“He could run 1400 metres first-up and he’s fresh enough for 1200 metres. He has to be rock hard fit for this, he’s only very small and we’ve always set a plan for this.”
The Inevitable 'hasn’t grown at all, but he has filled out a bit'
