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
Magic Millions carnival a goal for Godolphin’s Fleetwood
With a racing business built primarily on Darley homebreds, Godolphin’s participation at the Magic Millions carnival has been almost exclusively restricted to wild card qualifiers. Outside of notable exception Exhilarates, the winner of the 2019 Magic Millions Classic, trainer James Cummings hasn’t been flush with options for the Gold Coast features. However, following...
Three in a row for Herbert Park
While not in the ownership of Herbert Park and no longer involved in the Tony Noonan stable, former Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mick Robbins would have enjoyed the filly’s win at Caulfield. Robbins was celebrating his 94th birthday on Saturday and Noonan sent out a special birthday wish to the former trainer and...
In-form Jones gets another One home at Randwick
A strong ride on iron mare One Aye at Randwick has delivered Reece Jones his fourth win in the space of a week and the young hoop is focused on continuing that momentum into the new season. Jones was part of the emerging group of apprentices coming through the Sydney ranks last year...
James Cummings predicts Rosy future for emerging Tarpaulin
James Cummings will give brilliant Randwick winner Tarpaulin an opportunity to chime into the early carnival races, nominating a Golden Rose lead-up as the colt's immediate target. Starting a $1.80 betting app favourite, the youngster demolished his rivals in Saturday's Ranvet Handicap (1100m), cruising to the front at the top of the straight...
Public Attention set to target Caulfield Guineas
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable have some ambitious plans for Public Attention after his debut win at Caulfield. The Written Tycoon colt took out the MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (1200m) on Saturday to follow the victory of former stablemate Ourboros in the race 12 months ago. Ourboros went on...
Dictionary the word at Caulfield races
A few extra days but considerably more prize money has led trainer John Moloney electing to run Dictionary at Caulfield. Dictionary was also down to run at Sandown on Wednesday, but with $175,000 and a further $30,000 in bonus money of offer, the VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) on Saturday was a more attractive...
One Aye developing an iron mare reputation
Less is more when it comes to the training regime of in-form Canberra mare One Aye , who is preparing to line up for her14th campaign run at Randwick. The six-year-old kicked off her current preparation at Moruya in December and has raced at least once a month since, highlighted by her...
Phillip Stokes fillies head to Caulfield races
Phillip Stokes is set to kick-start a long campaign for Comanche Miss that he hopes may lead to a Group 1 in late spring. The MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday will see Comanche Miss line up for only the second time with the long-term aim being the...
Kris Lees back to test Sydney waters with Bubba’s Bay
Having ended her most recent campaign with a hat-trick of wins in Brisbane, Bubba’s Bay is being given another opportunity to prove her wares in the tougher Sydney arena. Trainer Kris Lees says the four-year-old has returned a more furnished horse this preparation and he is keen to see how she...
Top filly revives fond memories for Vern Brockman
Octogenarian trainer, Vern Brockman says emerging three-year-old Toropa is trending in the right direction and will progress to Saturday grade after keeping her unbeaten record intact at Belmont on Wednesday. The excitement continues to grow for Toropa, a $230,000 Perth Magic Millions purchase, who met the expectations of punters again when...