Shaiyhar steps out in trip at Flemington

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable are looking forward to again seeing Shaiyhar step out over 2500m at Flemington.

Since his arrival in Australia from France, Shaiyhar has been kept on the big track at Flemington and will have his fifth run at the course in The Melbourne Cup Carnival on sale now (2500m) on Saturday.

It will be Shaiyhar second attempt at 2500m in Australia.

His first shot was two starts ago, sandwiched between two 2000m victories, when sixth to Port Guillaume in a Quality Handicap on June 17.

That followed a win two weeks earlier and Busuttin thought the quick back-up may have brought about his downfall, while he was later successful on August 5.

“I think the blimp on his record when he ran poorly second-up, he hit a hard track and was on a quick back-up and he didn’t handle it for some reason,” Busuttin said.

“He’s had a good trial since his last win, and we think he’s fit enough.

“But I would have preferred it a month between runs instead of six weeks, but it is what it is, so we’ll find out if he’s fit enough.

“We’re happy with him, we were happy with his trial and we’re happy with his work.”

Shairyhar meets some handy stayers in Serpentine and Interpretation and notes that Shaiyhar is jumping from a benchmark 78 grade win last time out.

“We’ll find out what level he’s up to,” Busuttin said.

“He’s got a lightweight and a good jockey and he’s going well.”

Busuttin and Young will also be represented by Mostly Cloudy in Saturday’s race.

Mostly Cloudy has been described as an out-and-out stayer by Busuttin and ran second over 2800m at Flemington in July and third over 2530m at Flemington on August 5.

At his most recent out, Mostly Cloudy finished sixth in the Listed City Tatts Cup (2400m) at Randwick on September 2.

“He’s gone up to Sydney twice now and has got off the bridle a long way out each time,” Busuttin said.

“Maybe he’s not comfortable on that leg.

“He hasn’t been doing much wrong in Melbourne, but while he’s raced well, he hasn’t raced as well that way of going in Sydney.”