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Import’s recovery from Five Diamonds warrants shot at hometown Cup

Things didn't go to plan in the richest race Uncle Bryn has contested this spring, but the import's trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are hoping to console themselves with victory in Saturday's $500,000 Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m).

The son of Sea The Stars is backing up from last weekend's $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill, when he hit the line stylishly to finish fifth, 2-3/4 lengths from track record winner Ellsberg.

The Cranbourne Cup was never cemented in as part of the spring plan for Uncle Bryn, but Busuttin said given the run he had last week and how well he recovered there was no reason not to run.

"The race just got away a bit, we went back from a wide gate and he just couldn't get building into the race at the right time," Busuttin said.

"He basically just sat back and sprinted up 400 metres. His sectionals were great – they don't pay out on sectionals unfortunately – but he had a very soft run and he travelled back well, he's a big strong horse, so we've elected to back up."

The Cranbourne Cup will be the seventh run of a campaign that started with a sixth placing in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in August.

Subsequent efforts include a second placing in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m), splitting Smokin' Romans and Gold Trip, and a dynamic win in the Listed Sale Cup (1600m).

That latter performance has given Busuttin hope the five-year-old, who has drawn barrier eight of 15, will have conditions to suit in a Cranbourne Cup containing noted front-runners Buffalo River, No Effort and No Surrender.

"He's going to need a bit of luck, he's a big horse that may not get around the track the best, but there's a heap of speed and that's what suits him.

"Going on his record, I'd say he's a miler and I think a hard-run mile. A fast-run mile, that's his go."

Uncle Bryn is one of two runners for Busuttin and Young in their adopted hometown Cup with Flash Aah to have his first start since finishing runner-up to his stablemate at Sale in the Cranbourne Cup.

"He's a very honest horse," Busuttin said. "Probably this field is a bit deeper than we would have hoped for a horse like him, but he's going well and he'll run up to his best."

Uncle Bryn will be ridden by Mark Zahra with Craig Newitt to take the ride on Flash Aah, who will start from gate 14.