Derivative to shine first-up at Sandown races

Derivative’s early career was aimed at the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but after a disappointing debut effort, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young team opted to reset expectations.

The Capitalist colt is now ready to return in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1000m) at Sandown after a spell and some positive jump-outs.

Having won at Cranbourne and Warwick Farm in trials, Derivative appeared to be right on track for a Magic Millions campaign before his debut flop at Eagle Farm last December, where he missed the start and never recovered.

“He’s a horse I’ve got a lot of time for,” Busuttin said.

“He showed a lot of promise in the lead up to the Magic Millions, so we took him up there to run in one of the qualifying races, but he missed the start and got it all wrong.

“So, we brought him home, gave him a spell and he’s trialled up well to run on Saturday.”

Saturday’s race is part of the Next Generation Sprinters Series, which offers a path to the Flemington final over 1200m on July 5.

Busuttin admits the shorter 1000m trip isn’t ideal but says options are limited.

“I would probably have preferred this race to be 1100 or 1200 metres, but I don’t think there’s too much coming up,” he said.

“This is part of the two-year-old series with a final at Flemington, and that’s the road I’m thinking of at the moment with him.

“I’m sure he’ll acquit himself well on Saturday and then we can have a think about that race at Flemington and may be after that freshen him up for some of the early spring races, but he is a horse that I do like.”