Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.
Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington.
This success marks the third time in four years the stable has triumphed in this particular Saturday race, following on from Arcora's win in the previous year.
Although Arcora went on to secure second place behind Observer in last year's Derby, Young suggested that the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October is the more likely spring objective for Ko Phangan.
Carrying the $2.05 favourite tag under jockey Craig Williams, Ko Phangan delivered a commanding 2½-length win over Notified ($3), with Achy Breaky Heart ($8) finishing a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
"He jumped really clean and I was thinking 'please don't lead, please don't lead'," Young stated.
"At his last couple of starts I was wanting him to take a sit and really chase, and today he was able to take a sit, and he was too good for them.
"It is a nice form race this and they usually carry on. Arcora last year went on to win a Derby Prelude and run second in the Derby.
"We know this horse gets the distance, so maybe the Caulfield Guineas in the spring, but he'll probably have a couple of weeks let-up now and then pick a path to the Guineas."
Young recounted spotting the colt at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, being drawn to his potential as a Caulfield Guineas type for his three-year-old season.
"We looked after him and didn't send him up to Magics after running second in the lead-up behind Unit Five that won the Magic Millions and I'm hoping that pays off this spring," Young said.
"He's an Ole Kirk colt, a lovely looking rooster and hopefully he can go on with it.
"He's got the Green Desert and Poet's Voice blood and may get 2000 (metres) in time but he has a good turn of foot as he has shown in his last two starts, but he's just got to the front too soon and he's floated.
"He can keep his family jewels intact and we can hopefully have a good spring this year."
Explore the available racing betting markets for upcoming races.
More Racing News
Melbourne Cup 2026: 101 nominations received
The Victoria Racing Club has received 101 entries for the upcoming 166th Melbourne Cup, a 3200m race scheduled at Flemington on November 3.Despite a dip in overall nominations from previous years, international interest has grown, with 23 horses nominated from four nations: England, Ireland, Japan, and the USA.Last year, 2025,...
Natural Fling faces seasoned sprinters in Moir Stakes
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable is prepared to gamble on a Group 1 contest against established sprinters when Natural Fling contests the Moir Stakes at Sandown.It's uncommon for a three-year-old, let alone a filly, to challenge hardened sprinters in a 1000-metre weight-for-age race.However, that's precisely the path Natural Fling...
David Vandyke confident Oregon Coast can leverage Pembrey's form
Trainer David Vandyke holds a positive outlook for Oregon Coast's chances at Ipswich on Wednesday, particularly given her performances against horses like Pembrey and Chilly Girl.While Pembrey and Chilly Girl are prominent contenders for the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, Oregon Coast will be competing in the...
Chris Waller assesses Chelmsford Stakes contenders
Champion trainer Chris Waller is looking for better showings from Fangirl and Lindermann in Saturday's Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600 metres at Randwick.The pair finished well back in the Winx Stakes, behind their stablemate Autumn Glow, securing 10th and 9th placings respectively. While Waller was prepared to overlook their...
Generosity poised for Group 1 Moir Stakes
There was a period earlier this year when Chris Waller considered letting go of the classy sprinting mare Generosity. However, this Saturday, she is set to kick off another racing campaign for the renowned trainer.The six-year-old mare will make her seasonal reappearance in the lucrative $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes,...
Maher eyes 1000m kick-off for mare Tempted
While 1000-metre races are not uncharted territory for Tempted, the talented mare is set to contest this distance for the first time in a significant period this weekend.The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old is scheduled to make her return in the $1 million Group 2 Concorde Stakes at Randwick, which will mark...
Matthew Smith's sprinting duo faces strategic choices
Australia's premier short-course sprinters have numerous engagements this weekend, and Sydney conditioner Matthew Smith is eager to leverage this for his top two 1000-metre contenders.Headwall is set to attempt a repeat victory in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Smith, however, favours sending Way To The Stars to Melbourne for the...
Skybird seeks return to winning form in Moir Stakes
A significant amount of time and travel has passed since Skybird last graced the winner's circle.Her most recent victory was on a rain-affected Flemington track in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m), a race won by the Mitch Freedman-trained mare.Freedman is hopeful for similar conditions when Skybird competes at Sandown...
Chayan's return to racing in the Furious Stakes
Randwick is offering a considerable $2.6 million in prizemoney this Saturday, yet this figure falls short of the extraordinary sum Coolmore paid for Chayan at the Inglis Chairman's Sale in May.Despite a faltering performance in her most significant challenge, the Group 1 Golden Slipper seven weeks prior, the global breeding...
Guest House makes history at Rosehill Gardens
A remarkable feat was achieved at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as the Golden Slipper champion, Guest House, not only broke a 35-year-old jinx but also shattered a track record that had stood for almost two decades.In a sensational return to the racetrack, Guest House, partnered by jockey Zac Lloyd, bravely...