Pinjarra-based trainer Brett Pope is eyeing a Black Type victory with his progressive galloper Bayatorio after the three-year-old won at Belmont Park over the weekend.
The gelding, a son of Mungrup Stud champion Oratorio purchased for $50,00 from the 2012 Perth Magic Millions Sales, was a long neck winner over the Garry Delane-trained Shilling in the $60,000 Ultimate VIP Raceday 3YO Handicap (1400m) last weekend.
Ridden by William Pike for the first time Bayatorio showed their strength and a willingness to win running down the pacemaker for the victory.
“They had their chance to beat him but he dug deep,” Pope told The West Australian.
“That’s the trait of a handy horse for the future.”
It was their third win from a total of seven starts and second on the trot after they also won over the same track and distance under the same conditions just two weeks earlier.
It’s been a magic time for Pope who is now starting to see the rewards of his hard work with the horse who suffered shin problems earlier in their career but who has still managed to progress well through the ranks since their debut at their home track at Pinjarra back in June last year.
“Shin soreness has restricted his past campaigns,” Pope said.
“But he’s had five starts this time in and is ready to race over 1600 [metres].
“He kept going shin-sore early on and took time to toughen up and mature.
“He’s come of age this year and has the scope to get up to a mile.”
Bayatorio is now likely to be stepped up to stakes company next start for that mile run.
Pope is looking at a run against their own age for their Black Type debut.
He will also keep them at Belmont Park Racecourse where they seem to be thriving for the $100,000 Listed WAROA Belmont Guineas (1600m) on June 21.
“He will be peaking for the Guineas in a fortnight,” Pope said.
“All going well, he will then be spelled in readiness for the [Perth Racing] summer carnival.”
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