By Glenn Davis
Caloundra trainer Darryl Hansen finally had some luck go his way when Bat A Kat was successful in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Ridden by Jeff Lloyd, Bat A Kat dented the chances of a few Magic Millions Guineas hopefuls with a gutsy long neck win over Dream Kisses in the 1400-metre race.
Colosimo battled strongly for third, only a head away.
Hansen rode the crest of a winning wave during the spring and summer with his star sprinter Monsieur Gustave and Bring It Home Pop.
However, both have been forced to the spelling paddock after suffering minor injuries.
“Bring It Home Pop is out of action after pulling a back muscle last start and Monsieur Gustave also is in the paddock with a bit of shin soreness,” Hansen said.
Bat A Kat was bred in central Queensland by some friends of Hansen and isn’t eligible for the Magic Millions raceday at the Gold Coast next week.
“He’s a homebred who was bred by a couple of mates of mine in Rockhampton,” Hansen said.
“He’s out of a good mare, Regal Megan, who won 14 races in central Queensland.”
Hansen will see how Bat A Kat recovers from his tough run before deciding his immediate future.
“I was thinking about tipping him out but he’s still raw and has a lot of learning to do,” Hansen said.
“He’s only going to improve and the way he settled he could get to 1400 or 1600 metres.
“At this stage we’re definitely looking at the winter with him.”
Trainer Chris Anderson will also target the Brisbane winter carnival with Mishani Bullitt following the colt’s narrow win in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1800m).
In another masterful ride from Lloyd, Mishani Bullitt proved too strong for his rivals with a short neck win over the fast finishing Boom Boom Epic.
Early leader All Too Huiying was third, a further neck away.
Anderson has no plans to run Mishani Bullitt on Magic Millions day next week.
Anderson heaped praise on Lloyd who made a winning move when he took Mishani Bullitt to the front 1000 metres out when the tempo up front slowed.
“It was a daring ride and a J Lloyd special,” Anderson said.
Mishani Bullitt ran fourth in the Group 1 J J Atkins in last year’s winter carnival but Anderson always believed he was looking for a distance.
“I want to tip him out now for a break and get him ready for the winter,” Anderson said.
“He’s been looking for a trip for a while now and I think we can have some fun in the winter with him.
“He’s only a three-year-old and has done his job. There’s plenty of time to run in the Magic Millions staying races.”
Mishani Bullitt was a $75,000 at the Magic Millions sales and has now won three of his 17 starts with prizemoney in excess of $191,000.
Racing Queensland webnews January 6