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2022 Newmarket Handicap winner, The Inevitable, is on track for another tilt at the state’s premier sprint race following a soft trial win in Hobart on Monday morning.
With apprentice jockey Rocky Morimoto in the saddle, The Inevitable showed his customary turn of foot in an 800m back straight trial to round up a handy field in a time of 46.08s.
The Inevitable had a track gallop in between races at the Hobart program on Melbourne Cup Day, but connections felt he needed another good hit-out before his first-up assignment.
"We're happy with what he did today; that should tighten him up nicely," said stable representative Tegan Keys.
The Inevitable hasn't raced in Tasmania since December 2023, when he finished fourth in the Listed Tasmanian Stakes (1600m).
The nine-year-old gelding showed in a three-start Queensland campaign during winter; however, he's still a force, highlighted by a fourth placing in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap back in June.
Champion jockey Craig Newitt rode The Inevitable in the last two of his three Queensland runs, and connections indicated he will have the Newmarket ride, where he is expected to carry 61kg as the likely highest-rated horse in the race.
Monday's trials contained several horses on the way to the Newmarket (Launceston, 27 November), including Swoop Dog, whose winning time of 46.02s was the fastest of the morning.
"Swoop Dog will head to the Newmarket and be our best chance," said trainer John Blacker.
"We'll also have Indispensable there, but later in the summer, we'll see the best of him," the trainer added.
Blacker also had progressive pair Press For Boom and Stardarmus in on Monday morning and said they'll trial again in Launceston on 22 November before they return to the races.
The Imogen Miller-trained Algernon is another potential Newmarket starter. The lightly raced seven-year-old is on the comeback trail and was half a length behind The Inevitable on Monday.
"He's had some nasty ulcers, so we've had to be patient with him," said Imogen Miller.
"We'll look at the Newmarket, but if that is a bit too soon, we have the Winzenburg (Hobart, 15 December).
Last Saturday's $50,000 Goodwood Handicap, won by Thespian Waters, whet the appetite for this year's Newmarket, which headlines an outstanding program in just over a fortnight that also includes the $125,000 3YO Cup.