Caulfield's Tour d'Horse sprint hosts Bustling's long-awaited return
Mick Price and co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr aren't choosy anymore regarding the previous West Australian contender Bustling, even though Saturday's Caulfield Tour d'Horse Sprint falls short of his purchase purpose.
This 1000-metre $130,000 benchmark 84 event signals the four-year-old's re-entry after almost 20 months away.
Bustling's lone race for the Price-Kent team post his expensive acquisition was September 2024's Group 2 Run To The Rose, ending eighth of nine amid a series of health issues thereafter.
It's a humble objective for the Frosted son, originally targeted at The Everest, but Price welcomes the chance to get him underway once more.
"He had some bone problems and just assorted different niggles," Price said.
"We keep getting him up, then we keep giving him time, we keep getting him up then we keep giving him time.
"But everyone's done a good job with him and he's now as right as we can have him."
Prior to the Run To The Rose, Bustling's record stood at four wins from five starts, highlighted by successes in the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m), Group 3 WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m), Listed Perth Stakes (1100m), and a close second.
His lead-up work featured third place in an 800m jumpout at Cranbourne April 6, then a win over 850m at Caulfield Heath on April 23.
Mark Zahra handled both lead-ups and retains the mount Saturday, where Bustling sits top of markets at $4.40.
Price expressed dissatisfaction with the week's heavy rain in Victoria, stating the track's shift from Soft 6 as rated Thursday would aid Bustling's bid.
"He's a happy horse, he's big, strong and he's grown a lot since his two-year-old days," Price said.
"He is one horse who hates the wet, but he is ready to run well."
Visit online bookmakers to find the best betting markets for the race featuring Bustling this Saturday.
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