Fit For Purpose Makes it 25 for Show A Heart

Mark Smith - Saturday July 21

Trainer Liam Birchley won the Listed Tattersall's Mile at Doomben 12 months ago with his Group II Villiers Stakes winner Crack Me Up and a late decision to run Fit For Purpose in Saturday's renewal gave the Eagle Farm-based trainer his second winner in succession.

Under a rails-hugging ride by former Victorian Dale Smith, Fit For Purpose defeated the heavily backed favourite No Annamossity (Mossman) by one and a quarter lengths with was a nose back to Lordag (Any Given Saturday) in third.

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Birchley entered the son of Show a Heart after being told the race was struggling for nominations.

"But everyone else must have heard the same rumour and thrown in a nomination," he told AAP.

"It was a near-capacity field but when he drew barrier two I thought he might as well run."

"Fit For Purpose is no Crack Me Up but he has always had ability.

"I really don't know what we can do with him as I really wasn't expecting to answer that question.

"I think I have won the Tatt's Mile four times now but I really wasn't thinking about going back into the records."

The 4yo gelding advances his record to 6 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds from 18 starts with earnings of $246,150.

Consigned by Auchmedden Stud to the 2015 MM National Yearling Sale, Fit For Purpose was sold to his trainer for $14,000 although he runs in the name of his breeders messes Cygler, McIntosh and Fowler.

He is the best of three winners out of the 6-time winner Gag Order (Conatus) whose dam Suppress (Don't Say Halo) is a half-sister to It's Academic who won the Tattersall's Mile in 2000.

Fit For Purpose becomes the 25th stakes-winner for Glenlogan Park stalwart Show a Heart (pictured ) who will live out his days on the farm after Glenlogan made the decision not to stand stallions.

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