Paul Shailer eyes Stradbroke Handicap ticket with three-year-old Mister Bianco in The Gateway

Paul Shailer couldn’t resist a shot at a Stradbroke Handicap golden ticket and is surprised he has the only three-year-old in The Gateway.

Paul Shailer is stunned that more three-year-old contenders haven’t taken up the challenge of racing in The Gateway with a view to scoring a golden ticket into the 2025 Stradbroke Handicap.

But Gold Coast trainer Shailer is keen to cash in with Mister Bianco who is the sole three-year-old in Saturday’s Eagle Farm race which had previously been restricted to four-year-olds but has now been opened up to include three-year-olds as well.

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Mister Bianco races in Peter Tighe’s Magic Bloodstock colours which were made famous by Winx.

With other heavy-hitters such as multiple Group 1 winning-owner Noel Greenhalgh in the ownership of Mister Bianco, Shailer said it is tantalising to race the young gelding who has won two from five with a 2025 Stradbroke ticket up for grabs.

Mister Bianco, with 54kg and barrier three, is rated an $8.50 chance to score the $300,000 The Gateway over 1400m at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Mister Bianco is the only three-year-old in The Gateway on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

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“Of course the Stradbroke ballot free situation played a role in him running in this race, it is certainly enticing,” Shailer said.

“He’s got a good barrier which is important and the fact that he has only got 54kg is important as well.

“I love three-year-olds with light weights in these sort of races.

“I think he maps to get a really nice run with a really light weight.

“He is a progressive horse and he will run really well, whether that’s good enough to beat the four-year-olds I am not sure.

“I can’t believe we are the only three-year-old in the race.

“It’s certainly worth a roll of the dice.”

Mister Bianco makes it two from three as he wins at @SCTurfClub! pic.twitter.com/7GuIE6fO2g

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 10, 2024

Shailer’s one query with Mister Bianco on Saturday is that he admits it’s not ideal going into the race with four weeks between runs and being unable to get a recent trial into the gelding given the inclement weather in southeast Queensland in recent times.

But if he scores on Saturday, the ownership group can start dreaming big.

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Shailer, who was once Chris Waller’s right-hand man, believes that Mister Bianco could be a serious 2025 winter carnival player given he will develop extra maturity between now and then.

“If he was to qualify for the Stradbroke, we have then got six months to prepare him for that race over 1400m as a three-year-old with a light weight,” Shailer said.

“He is a big and strong horse, but he’s not there mentally there yet and he’s got a long way to go.

“There’s a nice race in him somewhere, I know there is, but it’s all about timing for him.

“I do feel a little bit of pressure because of my client base, they have invested a lot of money and put a lot of horses into my stable.

“It would be nice to kick a goal for them, win a good race, to repay the faith they have put in me.”

Originally published as Paul Shailer eyes Stradbroke Handicap ticket with three-year-old Mister Bianco in The Gateway