Trots Centre: Big campaign ahead as Bid begins Group 1 pursuit

Owner Malcolm Wells is optimistic his successful last-ditch flourish at the 2018 Australasian Premier Trotting Sale will continue to pay dividends today, when Is That A Bid resumes at Kilmore.

The three-year-old steps out for trainer Michael Hughes and reinsman Rodney Petroff in the Carlton & United Breweries Trot at 4.48pm, part of an eight-race card at Kilmore that streams on Trots Vision from 1.15pm.

Already a Group 1 winner, having claimed the 2019 Aldebaran Park Vicbred Platinum Home Grown Classic in only his fourth start, Is That A Bid has more big fish to fry this campaign, being eligible for both November’s Breeders Crown and December’s Vicbred Super Series.

The road to those targets begins today, when the gelding resumes from four months on the sidelines to contest a very competitive $7000 trot, which features fellow Group 1 winners Sleepee and Fear The Yankee.

Owner Malcolm Wells spoke to SENTrack’s Talking Trots today and was optimistic of his charger’s performance, who will start from gate nine.

“He’s certainly come back big and strong and his trial in finishing second to Elite Stride, who won pretty well on Saturday, was a pretty good trial,” Wells said.

“I would think he will give anyone who supports him today a good run for his money.”

And, when it comes to money, Is That A Bid has proven a fortuitous purchase.

Bred by David Scott, the gelding by Andover Hall out of Elusive Charm was snapped up for $20,500 at the 2018 Australasian Premier Trotting Sale, when Wells sneaked pass his initial budget at the urging of trainer Hughes and, in the process, was served the horse’s name.

“Mick and I had gone to the sales with the intent of buying this horse, but we went there with a budget. And it achieved the budget and he hadn’t even had a bid,” Wells told Trots Talk.

“It looked as though it was going to be sold to somebody else. We were sitting there and Mick said to me, ‘c’mon Mal, what’s 500 bucks?’.

“Just as I put my hand up the spotter, who was standing in front of us turned away, but the auctioneer who was about 40 metres away yelled out ‘is that a bid sir?’.

“I looked up at him and he was looking at me, so I nodded my head and we ended up with the horse. But, sadly for the people who missed out, what they didn’t realise was that was going to be my one and only bid and if they had have gone one more time they would have had a pretty good horse for themselves.”

TALKING TROTS ON SENTRACK:

Join Darren Parkin and Blake Redden from 11am to 1pm on SENTrack, which airs on 1593AM in Melbourne, 1539AM in Sydney, 657AM in Perth, 801AM in Gosford, 96.9FM in Ingham, 99.1FM in Atherton and 1575AM in Wollongong.

Click here to listen live and for links to download the SEN app.