Gatty Com A Big Improver
Smart chaser Gatty Com (Vapour Whirl – Kirabilli Jessie) made it three in a row at the Devonport Raceway on Tuesday afternoon by winning the Tasfreight Grade 5 (452 metres) and has now greeted the judge on five occasions in nine outings since being relocated from Victoria.
Trainer Brendan Pursell is amazed at the improvement shown by the chaser in recent months, but is unsure how he will measure up against the elite.
“He is a little slow from the boxes and then musters speed when he hits the ground, but he is running time so it may not prevent him from competing successfully in top grade,” he explained this week.
Gatty Com is raced by the K. P. B. Syndicate managed by Brett Gatt and was transferred to Pursell's complex on the advice of Victorian trainer Brad Burns.
“Brad is my wife Lynne's cousin and it was he who arranged that I be given Gatty Com, which has really thrived in the new environment,” the trainer explained.
Pursell now has Gatty Com's litter-mates Chick Com and Side Com in his care, meaning that the former harness racing trainer-driver has a team of six in work.
“Chick Com was supposed to be the pick of them, so it will be very interesting how she races in Tasmania,” he explained.
“She debuted for me at Devonport on Tuesday and looked a shade unlucky when fourth to Ukulele Jack, so she may be an early winner,” he added.
The young trainer holds high hopes for an El Galo pup from Inbetween Days he purchased recently from Tea Tree breeder Gary Greig.
“Inbetween Days is a proven producer and he has done everything right to date, so I am hoping that he will make the grade,” he said.
Meanwhile top bitch Irinka Julia (Irinka Dennis – Sussudio) continued on her winning way at the NWGRC meeting by winning the WHK Invitation (452 metres) in the fastest time of the meeting 25.97.
A well supported $2.50 commodity, the bitch has now raced on 35 occasions for 11 wins and 20 placings while accumulating a purse of in excess of $21,000.
Irinka Julia is raced by Zeehan's Helen Pringle and is prepared for her by her husband Joe, who makes the long trip from his West Coast base to attend race meetings.
Bagdad's Allison Walker prepared a double at the meeting when she was successful with litter-mates
Magic Moss and Bluffy Lad.
By Big Daddy Cool from Marananga Moss, the lightly raced pair have now won 15 races between them and have proven to be reliable money spinners for connections.
Burnie trainer Sandra Elphinstine was also seen in the winners circle after the first event on the card which she won with the well related Posh Poppy (Meticulous – Oh Zoya).
Raced by prolific breeder Allen Clark, he took out The Advocate Grade 5 (580 metres) and paid the handsome dividend of $17.