Busuttin and Young chase Magic Millions dream at Ballarat
When a Group 1 race is on the line, trainers are invariably on-course to cheer their charge on.
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have Forgot You contesting the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday, but Young will be at Ballarat instead.
Busuttin has travelled to Perth while Young looks after the team at Ballarat which includes Vianarra in the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m).
Vianarra is owned by a ‘Lady’s Syndicate’ and a win, or second-place finish on Saturday will be enough to earn the colt a trip to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast next month.
Young expects a number of the ladies to be present at Ballarat on Saturday, hence her decision to stay home and head to the races.
“We’ve drawn 10, but I thought his last run at Ballarat was super,” Young said.
“His last 50 metres, he really hit the line strong.
“He’s a horse that is probably looking for that little bit further, but it’s a nice race to try and get him into the Magic Millions for the lady owners and chase that bonus.
“A win, or running second, gets him in and the pressure is off, then he can have a run that way around.
“There’s a couple of races towards the end of the month and there’s also a race the week before at the Gold Coast, but we’ll get through Saturday first.”
Busuttin and Young have won the past two editions of the Ballarat Magic Millions contest.
Cusack won in 2021 when the race was run right-handed while Sunsource scored last year in horrendous conditions when the race was run the traditional way.
Cusack, who was owned by a ‘Lady’s Syndicate’ collected almost $150,000 in bonuses for his owners despite finishing down the track in the 2022 Magic Millions 2YO Classic and then earlier this year in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
“We’re hoping for a third straight win on Saturday,” Young said.
“Everyone is pretty excited. They’re a good bunch of ladies and we’ve ended up picking up a piece of the lady’s bonus in the last couple of years.
“It’s a great incentive and it helps pay their way.
“Hopefully we can get him up there and give some new ladies a fun week at Magic Millions.”
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Slick return has Lubrication ready to rumble in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Lubrication has put his hand up for a strong summer campaign after a powerhouse first-up performance that sends him into the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben full of confidence. The gelding enjoyed a breakout moment in May when winning the $1 million The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton, defeating future...