Brennan and Grantham To Check Off Their Bucket List

H

HARNESS

Trainer Michael Brennan is optimistic The Bucket List can makes his presence felt in the Tab Touch Inter Dominion Final (2936m) at Gloucester Park tonight.

The Bucket List was first emergency in the $1.1 million feature but gained a late reprieve following the withdrawal of defending champion, Lennytheshark.

The seven-year-old had been in doubt all week with a foot abscess and bravely lost his fitness battle when he was scratched by trainer, David Aiken.

The Bucket List is at big odds to take out the final but Brennan enters the race with enthusiasm after the bay gelding ran a top second in his final heat.

The son of Christian Cullen had to do a fair amount of working to sit outside of the leader, but he battled on strongly behind Hectorjayjay.

Brennan believes The Bucket List, a winner of 18 races and $258, 675 in prizemoney, will be at his peak.

“I was always a little concerned how he would handle the Inter series, but he has actually jumped out of the ground,” Brennan said on Tabradio’s The Sports Daily.

“He is eating the best he ever has, looks magnificent, is racing really good and I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He was very good last week, I don’t think there is anything I would change with him and he is absolutely ready to go.

“Look if they go crazy I have no doubt this little horse can definitely fill a top five spot that’s for sure.”

The Bucket List has drawn gate four and will be driven by Brennan’s nephew, Michael Grantham.

The 21-year-old rode 97 winners as a jockey before making the transition to harness racing after a constant weight battle.

After driving his first winner in the sulky two years ago his rate of improvement over the past 12-months has been impressive.

“It’s going to be a great experience for Mike,” said Brennan.

“It will probably be a reactive drive and take the runs when they appear.

“He is credit to himself and is a wonderful young kid.

“He is my nephew, but I would still be saying that if he wasn’t.

“The work he does with our team is phenomenal.

“It’s a big thrill for the family.”

Brennan might be optimistic with The Bucket List but he is highly confident about the chances of Mach Tiger in the Group 2 San Simeon Classic (2130m).

The bay gelding, searching for his first win since arriving from Adelaide, has drawn perfectly in barrier one for Grantham.

“He is my biggest push of the night each way,” Brennan said.

“He is three runs into his preparation under our system.

“Barrier one, the blinkers go on, he is a great front running horse.

“I think he is a bet each way to nothing.

“He will roll along in front and his work on Wednesday was sensational.

“We snapped up $16 earlier in the week and I don’t think he will be going around at that price.”
Julio Santarelli