3 minute read

After Busby's defeat as an odds-on favourite in a maiden race at Benalla, connections are hoping for a different result at Sandown.

There is no such thing as a good thing in racing as trainer Grahame Begg knows only too well.

Begg took three-year-old Busby to Benalla for a maiden on November 22, expecting the return journey to be a joyous one.

Busby was backed as if unbeatable, firming from $2.30 to $1.65, but after leading into the straight he was run down, eventually finishing third.

The gelding now heads to Sandown on Wednesday to run in the Ladbrokes Back Yourself In Handicap, a maiden race over 1300m.

"We just thought he'd go there (Benalla) and win and that was the reason he was very well backed, but it wasn't the case," Begg said.

"It does make you a little gun-shy in declaring one in the future."

Busby had won a Cranbourne barrier trial on heavy ground leading up to the Benalla race.

Begg said jockey Clayton Douglas was looking at Busby's legs after crossing the line, but the trainer could not find anything wrong.

He said Busby may have felt the ground first-up and not stretched out.

"It was a very firm track. It was a good three but it was more like a firm two," Begg said.

"He came around the turn and got on the wrong leg and hung all the way up the straight and was on one rein.

"There was nothing wrong with him afterwards but he didn't get on the right leg which is unusual as he had never done anything like that before.

"Hopefully the big stretches at Sandown will suit him and he can get in a good rhythm and be strong at the finish."

Begg said Douglas did nothing wrong aboard Busby at Benalla but has been replaced by Damien Oliver.

"He was sitting on the sidelines and didn't have a ride in the race so I thought we might as well go with the best," Begg said.

"He's trained on well since the run and we hope he is going to be competitive."

Busby has opened favourite for Wednesday's race at $3.90 ahead of Little Stevie at $5 and Cabinho at $6.