Time for Brayden Star to step up at Moonee Valley

Cranbourne-based trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young would not have a more consistent galloper than Brayden Star in their stable.

Since arriving from England last year, Brayden Star has raced on seven occasions, registering three wins and four placings.

But the time is nearing where Brayden Star has to take the next step and as part of that progression the entire heads to Moonee Valley on Saturday to run in the Ranvet Handicap (2040m).

Saturday’s race is a Quality Handicap and Brayden Star drops in weight from 59kg he carried to victory over 1620m on August 5 to 53kg over the 2040m on Saturday.

“He’s getting up there against a reasonable bunch of horses, so it will be interesting to see how he goes, and it will tell us where we are at with him,” Busuttin said.

“He’s going well, but it’s now time to step up.

“He doesn’t win by impressive margins, but he wins like a nice horse.”

Brayden Star was tried at 2000m at his second start in Australia, finishing third at Pakenham in restricted grade before going for a break.

The furthest he has been this campaign is 1800m when second at Rosehill last month when charging home from back in the field.

Busuttin said Brayden Star shapes as a 2000m horse.

“I think he’s looking for the 2000 metres now,” Busuttin said.

“He won over 2000 metres in Europe, and he gives me the indication that 2000 metres is what he wants, but we’ll find out a bit more after Saturday.”

Busuttin hopes the Moonee Valley track will play fair on Saturday after a leader bias two meetings back while at the last meeting there was no advantage being on the fence.

With a usual style of racing in the second half of the field, Busuttin expects Brayden Star to be handier in the run on Saturday.

“He’s drawn four and over the 2000 metres, he’ll sit handy,” Busuttin said.

“You would imagine Brett Scott’s horse (Irish Flame) will run them along, but with 53 kilos on his back over 2000 metres, we’ll be using the gate.”