Tasmania continues to punch well above its weight on the big stage with the latest star being the Scott Brunton-trained Dundeel gelding The Inevitable who made a winning seasonal debut over 1000 metres at Flemington on Saturday at the expense of the odd-on favourite Assertive Approach.
The winner of the Group III CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington in February, The Inevitable was making his first start since finishing eighth behind fellow Taswegian Mystic Journey in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 2.
Brunton told racing.com that he elected to run the Dundeel gelding first up over 1000 metres in preference to the Listed Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m).
With apprentice Michael Poy in the saddle The Inevitable scored a half-head win from Assertive Approach (Akeed Mofeed) with Queen Annabel (Bel Esprit) three lengths away third. (images Grant Courtney) .
He will return to Tasmania to be prepared for the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney in November.
"He's a serious racehorse this, don't worry about that," Brunton said.
"We were getting him ready for the Aurie's Star.
"Me and Teegs (partner Tegan Keys) have been over at Cranbourne with a few horses and she went back to do a bit of work with him and thought that he was maybe lacking a bit of fitness.
"So we dropped him back to the 1000m, sold it to the boys that we'd have a bet and it's worked out very good."
A $90,000 Magic Millions Adelaide purchase for David Brunton from the Cornerstone Stud draft, The Inevitable has won six of eight starts with earnings of $305,775
Bred by Tori Park Stud, he is a half-brother to Group III winner Blahnik and stakes-winner Elysees and is one of 11 winners from 14 foals from the stakes-winning Kings High mare Gift Bouquet.
Born when Gift Bouquet was 21, The Inevitable is her final foal. She missed in 2015 and 2016 and died in January last year.