3 minute read

The luck of the draw may have played against them but trainer Trent Busuttin is confident he and partner Natalie Young have the firepower to add another classic trophy to their cabinet in Saturday’s Victoria Derby.

The pair have three confirmed starters in the prestigious $1.5 million Flemington classic in Main Stage, Sully and Johnny Vinko.

It could be four if Beachwood can make the field from the first emergency position.

Busuttin admitted he was feeling relatively confident until the barrier draw on Tuesday when his well-fancied duo Main Stage and Sully drew gates 14 and 15.

That disappointment was tempered by Johnny Vinko landing a plum position with gate four.

“There is nothing you can do about the draw as it is what it is,” Bustuttin said. “We have the horses at peak fitness and we were delighted with their work on Tuesday, so it will be up to the riders to make of it what they will.”

Michael Walker will ride Main Stage and Hugh Bowman will partner Sully while Stephen Baster is on Johnny Vinko.

“You can’t worry about things like the barrier although it will certainly dictate how the horses are ridden,” he said.

“From out wide I would expect Main Stage and Sully to go back while Johnny Vinko should be able to position himself in a nice handy spot off the back of the speed.

“Once they’ve found their positions it’s game on. We have some of the best in the business aboard, so we trust them to make the right decisions on how they see the race panning out.”

Busuttin and Young are no strangers to Derby success.

The won the Victoria Derby in 2011 with Sangster and produced Tavago to win the 2016 ATC Derby at Randwick. They also trained this year’s New Zealand Derby runner-up Rising Red.

“I guess we have a bit of an affinity with races like the Derby, but that is because we buy well-bred New Zealand horses who have shown time and time again that they have an edge when it comes to these sort of races,” Busuttin said.

“All four of our horses were sourced from sales at Karaka and when we bought them it was with the three-year-old classics in mind.

“To be able to get three and possibly four runners into the race says a lot about just how good the young Kiwi stayers are.”

“Main Stage and Sully have been very good in their lead up runs. Although they are both going to need luck I expect them to be right there in the fight.

“Johnny Vinko will surprise a few despite disappointing a little in the Geelong Classic last time. He never really had the run to suit and with his good draw I think he can definitely improve on that effort.”