Bustling's Melbourne Focus After Sydney Setbacks

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr training partnership has signalled an intention to steer clear of Sydney racing with Bustling, preferring to keep the gelding competing in Melbourne.

Bustling is slated to compete in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes over 1100 metres at Caulfield this Saturday, marking his fourth start this season as he seeks a return to winning form for the first time since May 2024.

It's worth noting that Bustling has only raced four times since his last victory, despite initially being acquired as a potential contender for The Everest.

However, his performances in Sydney have been disappointing.

His first Sydney outing saw Bustling finish second-last in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill, a run that preceded a lengthy 20-month spell from the track. His most recent Sydney appearance was a seventh-place finish at Randwick on June 20.

Prior to his Sydney campaigns, Bustling had secured consecutive placings at Caulfield, finishing first-up over 1000m on May 9 and then second in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) on May 30.

Kent Jnr conveyed the stable's dissatisfaction with Bustling's previous effort.

"We had him in at Flemington down the straight and in Sydney that day," Kent Jnr said.

"I was a bit cautious on Sydney because he had failed there once before, but I thought that was in the past.

"Horses change states all the time, so I had to find out.

"Talking to both track managers, the surface at Randwick was going to be much better and as it worked out, he didn't fire a shot in Sydney which was in stark contrast to how he had been progressing in Melbourne where he felt like we were building to a win.

"He ran a first-up third, we didn't think he could win over 1000 (metres) with a big weight, but he progressed nicely, ran second in the Bel Esprit, a Listed race, and went to Sydney looking for better ground, but hated that way of going.

"He layed-in up the straight badly and he came out of the gates and knuckled badly, but he pulled-up perfect and we're looking forward to Saturday.

"Fourth-up, he can't be much fitter, and Blake Shinn rode him on Monday morning in a piece of work and thought it was excellent."

Kent Jnr stated that Bustling should be primed for his Saturday run, having finally overcome the physical challenges associated with his extended break from racing.

"It takes a while to get rid of two years of fat from not racing," Kent Jnr commented.

"He had been in and out of work, but there was no high-end trials or races and it takes a while for them, and I really think we've got the horse fit."

Apprentice jockey Logan Bates will take the reins, despite the race being contested without claiming allowances.

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