Trainers search for Brayden Star’s best trip

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable are still trying to ascertain what is the best trip for their imported galloper Brayden Star.

Having won over 1994m in the UK at his last start before shipping to Australia, Brayden Star has won over 1500m at Cranbourne and most recently over 1600m at Sandown.

But Brayden Star has also been placed over 1400m and 2000m which places the trainers in a quandary as to what is the entire’s best trip.

Brayden Star heads to Flemington on Saturday to continue his preparation in The David Bourke (1620m) which Busuttin hopes will shed more light on what may prove to be his best trip.

“I think ultimately, he will be a 2000-metre plus horse, but we’ve kept him at the mile because we’ve elected to try and figure out his trip,” Busuttin said.

Brayden Star is the $2.90 favourite in early markets, but Busuttin is concerned by French Emperor and Unusual Culture, both placegetters behind Brayden Star at Sandown on May 27.

Busuttin said the big track at Flemington will suit Brayden Star on Saturday and it will also provide the trainer with the data required as to where the entire may head in the future.

“If he grinds away and doesn’t win, then we can definitely say we’ve got a 2000-metre plus horse,” Busuttin said.

“But if he wins again over a mile, then you have plenty of other options over a mile for him.”

Busuttin said Brayden Star needs to keep winning, which in turn will boost his rating which will then enable him to get to a better grade of race.

The trainer has not ruled out a start in the Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 1, but Saturday’s performance will have a big bearing on that.

“He needs to be in that 90-rated bracket if you want to run in anything in the spring,” Busuttin said.

“If he happens to win on Saturday, we can then see about the Winter Championship.”