Trainer Chris Bieg contemplating Group 1 gamble for Big Brute after Saturday’s Morphettville mission

Chris Bieg has already fielded Hong Kong offers for promising youngster Big Brute and a Group 1 tilt will be on the trainer’s radar if the gelding can again impress at Morphettville on Saturday.

Chris Bieg has already fielded Hong Kong offers for promising youngster Big Brute and a Group 1 tilt will be on the trainer’s radar if the gelding can again impress at Morphettville on Saturday.

The hulking son of Brutal produced an exciting yet raw win on debut at Balaklava in June before unplaced finishes in the Listed Oaklands Plate (1400m) and Group 3 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on unfavourable heavy tracks.

A runner-up performance at Flemington next start saw the gelding again showcase his ability – despite blowing the start – with Bieg almost seeking cover as the race unfolded.

• EXPERT TIPS FOR MORPHETTVILLE: Heath Pope’s best bets plus Aaron Mills’ Belmont selections

“I was looking for a hole to hide in halfway through that race, he was out the back, scrubbed along and couldn’t really tack on,” Bieg said.

“I’ve found over the years horses having blinkers on first time can be just that little bit slow to step out the gates. I spoke to (jockey) Jye McNeil and said that it was the first time he was wearing blinkers in the barriers and to be on it – he just stepped that bit slower.”

After being blocked for a run at the 400m, the gelding peeled into the clear and ran on behind talented gelding Detroit City.

“I was rapt (with the run), gapping the third horse, we’ve seen Detroit City come out and run really well, only beaten a length-and-a-half a fortnight ago,” he said.

“He’s in with a really good chance (tomorrow), a lot of respect to the Gluyas team, both of their horses (Goldrush Guru, Wild Winner) are the hardest two to beat.”

Big Brute by name, Big Brute by nature! 💪

That's some debut & he's got plenty of improvement to come 👀 @[e-mail]/a2OORbq3il

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 19, 2024

• SA mare flying as Melbourne Cup campaign heads to Caulfield

Seven weeks since the Flemington run, the interstate trip helped Big Brute grow mentally and Bieg believes he could see the best of the three-year-old over 1800m in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (October 19).

A strong win, however, would make a Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 12 an enticing prospect. The gelding accepted for Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), but after drawing barrier 12 in that race, Bieg elected to run in Adelaide.

“If he happens to win tomorrow and wins impressively, he probably gets a go in the Caulfield Guineas in a fortnight. If he just runs a nice race, he’ll run here over a mile and then step to 1800m for the Hill Smith Stakes,” he said.

Big Brute came close to being sold to Hong Kong in June, prior to the Oaklands Plate, and that door hasn’t yet closed.

“The only reason he didn’t go was because of a timing issue,” Bieg said.

“No connections own a large portion, it’s not going to change anyone’s life, everyone’s just keen to go for the ride. When we accepted the offer, it came late into the Friday evening and they just couldn’t get the pen on paper to get the deal done by that race (Oaklands Plate).

“We ran the gauntlet, ran him on the heavy track – I wish I hadn’t and that just put the rating for Hong Kong just back a little bit.

“In terms of the vet side of everything, he passed everything with no concerns, he’s still an option for Hong Kong at some point.”

• Schiller craving Caulfield Cup success with Fawkner Park

Victorian apprentice Matthew Chadwick will ride in South Australia on a three-month loan for Bieg.

Chadwick claims 3kg in metro and provincial grade, and is chasing more race-riding opportunities in SA over the spring carnival.

“It was flagged that Matthew was looking at coming over here, especially while it’s pretty tough over there with the spring carnival, he came over and tested the waters on a couple of Saturdays here,” he said.

“He’s been a good asset, he’s picked a few things that others haven’t on horses, it’s good having a fresh set of eyes in the stable.”

Big Brute is a $3.90 chance with TAB fixed odds for Saturday’s Benchmark 68 over 1550m, with apprentice Felicity Atkinson booked to ride.

Stablemate Queenoftheair is a $12 hope, with Goldrush Guru currently a $2 favourite.

Originally published as Trainer Chris Bieg contemplating Group 1 gamble for Big Brute after Saturday’s Morphettville mission