Busuttin-Young pair out to rebound at Flemington races

Flemington’s K A Morrison Handicap (1400m) will feature a stable showdown this Saturday with three-year-olds Nostringsattached and Daggers representing the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young camp.

Though ideally the stable wouldn’t have them in the same race, Busuttin said it’s a contest that suits both runners at this stage of their preparations.

Daggers began his career brightly, winning his first two starts and shaping as a Caulfield Guineas contender before being turned out after losses in the Exford Plate and Stutt Stakes.

This prep he has been consistent, running second at Flemington and later contesting the World Pool Classic and a race in Adelaide, where he finished midfield behind The Goodwood winner Reserve Bank.

“Daggers has been racing better horses than these,” Busuttin said.

“He didn’t have much luck last start, he drew inside Reserve Bank and Reserve Bank went forward and sat outside the leader and we went back to last.

“I thought he ran very well.”

Nostringsattached, meanwhile, bypassed the Australian Guineas after being balloted out, instead winning at Pakenham before heading to Sydney and running second in the South Pacific Classic.

He was a beaten favourite at Caulfield last time, but Busuttin said the performance wasn’t a true reflection.

“Last start was a non-event,” he said.

“It was messy, he was favourite, it was very hard the Caulfield track that day, and he didn’t appreciate it and threw his head about.

“We’ll forgive him one bad day. If he turns up, he can bounce back.”

Get behind Daggers or Nostringsattached in the K A Morrison Handicap with odds and offers available at leading Australian betting sites.