Blind Raise set for Caulfield Guineas Prelude challenge

The Spring Carnival is reaching a stage where horses have fewer opportunities to avoid facing their toughest rivals.

Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are keenly aware of this as they prepare Blind Raise for an assault on the Caulfield Guineas.

The Caulfield Guineas, a 1600m feature race scheduled for October 10, has the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) this Saturday as a vital stepping stone.

Blind Raise is among nine runners declared for Saturday's race. He faces a challenging draw in barrier nine, but comes into the event following a successful first-up performance at Sandown.

The son of Ace High had a strong start to his racing career, winning his first two outings as a two-year-old. A subsequent winter campaign in Brisbane was cut short after one start, where he finished ninth in the Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm and was found to be suffering from mucus.

A spell in Queensland allowed the gelding to recuperate from his ailment before Blind Raise began his current spring preparation.

Blind Raise was considered to be not fully fit for his initial run, having only had one trial, yet his class was evident in a 1-¾ length victory.

"He came through it well as he was a bit above himself at Sandown," Busuttin explained.

"He'd had just the one run trial leading into it and in the parade ring, it was noticeable he was sweating up and was up and about which is unlike him.

"We were happy with his trial and thought he could do it, but thinking they can do it and actually doing it, is two different things.

"With that run under the belt and then taking him to Caulfield on Tuesday, he should be a bit calmer.

"It will be another challenge on Saturday, and we'll see how he goes this time, but I would imagine he will be very competitive."

The Caulfield Guineas is the primary target for the gelding this spring, though he also remains a contender for the Cox Plate (2000m) at Flemington on October 24.

Busuttin believes Blind Raise will improve further following Saturday's race and should be at his peak for Caulfield Guineas Day.

"His coat is nowhere near where we would like it to be," Busuttin commented.

"We have just under a month to the Caulfield Guineas to get that right."

Consider the racing betting markets for Saturday's Caulfield Guineas Prelude.