Another Bullet to ambush Subratie's trio

ANOTHER BULLET has not run a 1820-metre race in more than a year, but looks capable of springing a surprise on Gary Subratie's imported trio, all stayers, in this afternoon's Nigel B. Nunes Memorial feature.

Last Saturday ANOTHER BULLET went off as the 5-2 favourite at 1300 metres in the Seek Exercise Book Trophy race. However, the Patrick Lynch-trained five-year-old had to settle for fourth behind old rival CHACE THE GREAT, who turned out to be the lone speed and was allowed an unmolested lead.

ANOTHER BULLET has returned quickly, seven days later, facing Subratie's BLUE DIXIE, BRAWN and AWESOME DESTINY, whose last three victories were recorded at today's distance, dating back to November.

However, AWESOME DESTINY and BRAWN, another tough stayer, have been showing negative tendencies during races and on the exercise track, respectively.

Subratie has literally taken AWESOME DESTINY off the round course in the mornings after running wide in relatively simple gallops on consecutive Sundays. BRAWN, meanwhile, took his tardiness at the gate to a new level last week, refusing to race in the Seek Trophy after crawling out of the box.

BLUE DIXIE is out for the second time in close to five months. She returned from a four-month layup on August 2 and finished next-to-last behind HOUDINI'S MAGIC at 1500 metres. She has looked improved at exercise, galloping six furlongs in 1:16.1 on Sunday, but hasn't been the same horse since her brilliant effort against FRANFIELD at today's distance in March.

The uncertainties surrounding Subratie's trio have swung the door open for ANOTHER BULLET. Lynch's decision to have his sprinter-stayer back at the races in a week suggests the versatile runner came out of the Seek Trophy good enough to tackle 1820 metres, which is really a seven-furlong race once the horses clear the clubhouse turn.

ANOTHER BULLET has run some really strong mile races this season, clocking 1:37.0 in March before pushing classic winning stablemates FEARLESS SAMURAI and the Triple Crown winner, SHE'S A MANEATER, to the limit in separate encounters.

Subratie's trio might have the distance in their favour, but form is on ANOTHER BULLET's side. Even though he placed fourth on Saturday, he was beaten by CHACE THE GREAT's 1:18.4, running his race in 1:19.1.

Should he get to settle on the lead, possibly after stalking PINELOPE, ANOTHER BULLET has the pace to slip Subratie's trio, who will have to run their best races to beat him. Lynch has settled on Panamanian Ameth Robles, a really composed rider, but it would have been more comforting had he used a claiming apprentice to get an ease from 56.0 kilos.