Since being gelded, Gunnison has not looked back, unbeaten in two trials, and now unbeaten in two races starts, bravely taking out the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Randwick this past weekend.
With racing at Randwick taking place on a very heavy track after incessant rain in Sydney, Gunnison was quickly leading his field in the Todman, and when he turned up the pressure on the home turn, his rivals were quickly out of their comfort zones. Invader emerged as the main threat in the final stage, but under a power-packed Blake Shinn ride, the determined Gunnison was too strong, holding on bravely.
Time comparisons on the day showed that this was a very solid edition of the Todman Stakes, with Gunnsion running a faster time than Frolic in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes a race earlier, and also faster than the older mares in the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality an hour later. Team Snowden deserve huge credit once again for preparing Gunnison in tremendous order for this race, and were responsible for the quinella with Invader taking a close second and daylight to the remainder.
Gunnison, a son of Not a Single Doubt, out of Group 2 winning mare Colorado Claire, was secured from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2016 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale, the same draft and sale which has produced another 2017 JHB stakes winner – Pariah.
Congratulations to owners Belinda Bateman, Fergus & Delia Doyle, Donna & Rob Love, John & Fran Ingham, Gary Diamond, Steve & Louise Gillard and Arthur & Charlotte Inglis.