Daggers set for Flemington return in Inglis Sprint

Daggers impressed by winning his first two starts as a three-year-old, which led the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable to think he could be their top contender for the spring season.

After his initial victories, he ran third over 1400m at Flemington, and then stepped up to 1600m for the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley. However, he struggled with the longer distance, which led to a break before a potential sprint race.

A virus just before the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington curtailed any further spring plans.

After a rest and a couple of jump-outs at Cranbourne, Daggers is set to return in the $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

“I thought he could be a big spring horse for the stable, but when he got the virus, we spelled him right away,” Young said.

“He’s come back in great shape, trialled brilliantly, and even had a jump-out down the Flemington straight, which gives him an advantage.”

“When we were preparing for the spring, we took him for a jump-out, and while he was fine, we could tell he wasn’t fully fit, so we decided to spell him.”

Although disappointed that Daggers missed the Caulfield Guineas and Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring, Young is still confident that the colt can compete at the highest level.

Young emphasized that Daggers would be focused on races between 1200m and 1400m, and Saturday’s event, though restricted to Inglis graduates, will be an excellent starting point for his campaign.

“He’s in good form, and with $1 million on the line, it’s the perfect way to kick off his preparation,” Young noted.

“He’s a 1200 to 1400-metre horse, and he’s won over both 1200 and 1300 metres.”

“It would have been fantastic for him to make it to the Guineas, but being an I Am Invincible, he’s really suited to racing over these shorter distances.”

“He’s in fantastic condition, looking like a real specimen, and has developed a strong hindquarter. He wasn’t as strong in the hips last prep, but he’s grown into a powerful colt and should be ready for Saturday’s race.”