With a 61kg impost, it was unfathomable to expect the Ray Viney-trained Unpredicted to make a statement when he debuted at Alice Springs three weeks ago.
The former NSW galloper, who had four wins in 20 starts for Scone trainer Rodney Northam, finished at the tail in a field of 12 when last he raced, over 1000m (BM58) at Scone on November 7.
New arrivals in the Red Centre can also be forgiven for running poorly at Pioneer Park first-up, but the six-year-old gelding adapted to the dirt surface with ridiculous ease.
Having raced exclusively on the grass 18 times in NSW and twice in Queensland, the son of Rubick – starting at $13 – passed his first-up NT appearance with flying colours.
In a 10-horse field over 1000m (BM54), Unpredicted had Jessie Philpot on board and settled seventh before moving into fifth place at the 500m approaching the final bend.
Leanne Gillett’s in-form Esashi (55kg), a $4.40 equal favourite, had held sway along the rails from the outset and kicked clear in the home straight with Unpredicted easily five lengths adrift at the 300m.
Esahai was never losing, but Unpredicted came with a wet sail – especially over the concluding 100m – to fall short by 1.8 lengths to suggest that he clearly has ability.
The new arrival to the Viney stable, who has now finished in the top four in 12 starts, managed a third over 1200m (Class 3) at Rosehill 13 months ago.
Unpredicted returns in the Alice on Saturday over 1100m (BM54) and has copped 61kg yet again, while he will jump from the outside gate (11) after having barrier six on January 21.
“We’re expecting a good run again, he’s come on from his first run,” said Jaidyn Viney, son of Ray.
“His trackwork was pretty dull, but’s he’s woken up a bit – ever since that first run he has sparked up.
“I’d expect to see him maybe up closer and he shouldn’t be far away.
“He’s drawn a sticky gate, so it will be up to Jess – she rides him at trackwork every day.
“They will need luck, but Jess knows him really well and it will be up to her what she does, and probably how he jumps and travels for her.
“It’s a decent race on Saturday, plenty of chances, it’s an even field – there’s a few horses that get back.”
Alice Springs R2 replay | 21/1/2023 | Unpredicted (2nd)
The Vineys purchased Unpredicted online after his final race for the Northam stable in November.
“He came to us in reasonable order and it was a super run first-up,” Viney said.
“He seems to be enjoying the dirt and the Alice Springs racing pattern as well.
“He’s a horse, when we bought him, that showed a lot of speed and I think that speed here just helped him settle.
“He never seemed to settle in races in NSW and I think coming here has just helped him drop the bridle and actually finish off a race – like he did for us first-up.”
And what were the Vineys expecting before Unpredicted stepped out in Alice for the first time?
“We were expecting him to go good, but he probably exceeded our expectations,” Viney said.
“We thought he might need the run because he hasn’t been here long, but he’s done everything right.
“He settled midfield, which was surprising for us.
“We thought off his replays – where he showed a lot of speed in NSW – that he might have been a bit more handier first-up.
“It was good to see him settle and finish off because we know he’s not a one-trick pony.
“Jess knows the horse inside and out, so she just rode him how he felt.
“We also told her to just go out there and let him have a look, and let him get a bit of dirt in his face and see how he liked it.
“He’s a versatile horse – not much phases him.
“He’s also a nice horse – I don’t think there’s anything you could throw at him that he wouldn’t overcome.”
The Alice Springs Cup Carnival is two months away, so was Unpredicted purchased with that in mind?
“Yes and no,” Viney confessed.
“We just thought he’d be a nice horse to start the year with and maybe hope to get him into a couple of those minor sprint races as a lightweight chance if he happens to go on.”
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