A Stakes winner is anticipated for Shady Thinker, but the Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor-trained gelding must first conquer a less prestigious race at Morphettville.
The five-year-old, by So You Think, is slated for the MM Electrical Handicap (1600m) this Saturday, and Bain expressed confidence, stating he would be astonished if the gelding falters.
Shady Thinker also holds a nomination for the Listed John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Tuesday. However, at this juncture of his preparation, Bain favours the benchmark 72 contest scheduled for Saturday.
“He’s looking for the mile, and possibly further,” Bain remarked.
“He’s nominated for the John Letts on Tuesday over 1800 metres, but we’ll more than likely run on Saturday, given it’s too hard a race to pass up.”
Bain added, “I’d be disappointed if when he retires that he hasn’t won a Stakes race of some sort and that might be a 1600-metre, 1800-metre race.”
“He wouldn’t be out of place in a John Letts, but Saturday’s race on the way through in that grade, is too hard to pass up.”
He continued, “There’s our summer carnival early next year, so there’s plenty of time.”
Shady Thinker has secured three victories from his 10 career starts, with two additional placings. Bain noted the gelding’s aversion to damp racing surfaces.
Last year, Bain transported the galloper to Sydney, where he performed creditably at Rosehill before encountering a rain-affected track at Kembla Grange, leading to a subpar performance.
“When he came back from New South Wales, he had a few little niggles and needed a little bit of time,” Bain explained.
“He’s a very talented galloper. His first two runs back this preparation were on soft tracks.”
“We had a long and extended winter here and we had to run him in those races for fitness purposes and it wasn’t until third-up that he saw a dry track and ran very well.”
“Then fourth-up, last start, he should have won, and I’d be very surprised getting out to the mile if he got beaten on Saturday.”
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