Bassett is set to start the 2015 Carbine Club Stakes as favourite, but trainer Peter Moody believes that there is still a question mark over the ability of the talented colt to run out a strong 1600 metres.
Bassett is currently on top of Carbine Club Stakes betting markets. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Bassett made his racing debut with a win over 1100 metres at Caulfield on May 16 and he jumped straight up to 1600 metres for the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Doomben on June where he finished a credible fifth.
He followed the exact same pattern during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and he took out the National Jockeys Trust Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on September 19 before he finished sixth behind Press Statement in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10.
Moody admits that he has not made it easy for Bassett during his racing career to date, but he is hopeful that the Savabeel gelding can prove he will run a strong mile in the 2015 Carbine Club Stakes.
“He has made that good natural progression,” Moody said.
“He has to convince me that he can run a mile.
“He has been set a mammoth task by myself going from 1100 to a mile in his two preps, but the other day he presented to win the race and sort of whacked the last 100 metres.
“It is easy to put that down to condition and the jump-up in distance, but he pulled up very clean in the win and he wasn’t distressed at all.
“That form is probably good enough to see him run very well in this race, but I still want to see him perform well over a mile before I am convinced.
“He might just be a six or seven furlongs horse.”
Bassett has shown a degree of tactical versatility during his racing career to date and Moody believes that jockey Daniel Stackhouse will have plenty of options when the three-year-old jumps from barrier eight.
Moody said that he won’t give Stackhouse any firm instructions and he is able for the in-form hoop to use his judgement and settle Bassett where he is comfortable in the early stages of the Carbine Club Stakes.
“He has good speed, but he is such a relaxed character as well.
“Daniel knows him well and he knows what he has under him and he is riding in great form and confidence.
“I will just leave that to him and if the horse pings the lids he can take it up, but the horses relaxes beautiful either way.
“We won’t be getting posted.”
Bassett is currently available at 2015 Carbine Club Stakes odds of $3.40 with Ladbrokes and is a narrow favourite from Montauk ($4.20), Mahuta ($6) and He’s Our Rokki ($6.50).
You can score the best Carbine Club Stakes odds with Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20% on every single race at Flemington on Saturday.
