Gunstock stakes Derby claims at Caulfield

[Wandering Eyes]

Gunstock is off to the Victoria Derby after his impressive win in the Neds Classic at Caulfield.

Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr look to have a strong hand in both of the three-year-old classics at Flemingtonafter the win of Gunstock at Caulfield. 

A race after Daisies won the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, Gunstock took out the Gr.3 Neds Classic over the same trip. 

Daisies booked her spot for the Gr. 1 Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 4 while Gunstock is heading straight to the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on October 30. 

Ridden by Jye Mcneil, Gunstock, the $3.80 favourite, finished powerfully to overhaul El Patroness ($6) to score by 1-¾ lengths with Teewaters ($17) a length away third. 

Kent Jr said Gunstock, a son of Tavistock, was bred to run this type of trip, and further, and was given the perfect ride by McNeil. 

He said the stable elected to put blinkers on Gunstock on Saturday rather than wait for the Derby and the rise in distance. 

“Today was the right time to do it because he’s going to go up in distance a fair bit now to the Derby,” Kent Jr said. 

“Today we were going to have a look and see if they worked. They do work for this breed a lot. 

“He’s a very laid-back customer. I saw him in the yard there and he was almost half asleep. 

“He’s got a huge stride and Flemington will be his go.” 

Kent said Gunstock would head straight to the Derby following Saturday’s victory and has the added bonus of showing he can handle a wet track. 

“We were a bit unsure coming in,” Kent Jr said. 

“He worked and had trialled on soft and heavy ground, but we weren’t so sure he loved it, so I think he’ll be better on top of the ground.” 

Gunstock was initially purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Ohukia Lodge for $80,000.

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