Fit For Purpose Makes it 25 for Show A Heart

Mark Smith - Saturday July 21

Trainer Liam Birchley won the Listed Tattersall's Mile at Doomben 12 months ago with his Group II Villiers Stakes winner Crack Me Up and a late decision to run Fit For Purpose in Saturday's renewal gave the Eagle Farm-based trainer his second winner in succession.

Under a rails-hugging ride by former Victorian Dale Smith, Fit For Purpose defeated the heavily backed favourite No Annamossity (Mossman) by one and a quarter lengths with was a nose back to Lordag (Any Given Saturday) in third.


Birchley entered the son of Show a Heart after being told the race was struggling for nominations.

"But everyone else must have heard the same rumour and thrown in a nomination," he told AAP.

"It was a near-capacity field but when he drew barrier two I thought he might as well run."

"Fit For Purpose is no Crack Me Up but he has always had ability.

"I really don't know what we can do with him as I really wasn't expecting to answer that question.

"I think I have won the Tatt's Mile four times now but I really wasn't thinking about going back into the records."

The 4yo gelding advances his record to 6 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from 18 starts with earnings of $246,150.

Consigned by Auchmedden Stud to the 2015 MM National Yearling Sale, Fit For Purpose was sold to his trainer for $14,000 although he runs in the name of his breeders messes Cygler, McIntosh and Fowler.

He is the best of three winners out of the 6-time winner Gag Order (Conatus) whose dam Suppress (Don't Say Halo) is a half-sister to It's Academic who won the Tattersall's Mile in 2000.

Fit For Purpose becomes the 25th stakes-winner for Glenlogan Park stalwart Show a Heart (pictured ) who will live out his days on the farm after Glenlogan made the decision not to stand stallions.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.