3 minute read

An expensive New Zealand Ready To Run purchase has scored his maiden win at Sandown.

Time has been the best friend to Simeon who has broken through for his maiden win at Sandown. 

An expensive purchase at the 2021 New Zealand Ready To Run Sale, Simeon was having only his second start when he took out the Ladbrokes Punter Assist Plate (1500m) on Wednesday. 

Sent out the $3.10 favourite under Daniel Moor, Simeon led throughout in scoring by 2-¼ lengths from Umetni ($4.80) with Mon Etoile ($4.40) a further three lengths away third. 

Simeon is trained by Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young and was purchased for NZ$625,000 at the Ready To Run Sale. 

"He breezed up super and was one of the top lots," Busuttin said. 

"We got him over and he's always showed ability but been very weak mentally and physically. 

"We had to geld him because he was a handful, then he would trial up well but go off his feed, so he's just required time and maturity." 

Simeon made his debut at Pakenham earlier in the month over 1200m, finishing second to the promising Who Dares, and Busuttin said what he liked about Wednesday's win was the way the gelding controlled the race and gave a kick when asked. 

While to victory may have looked easy from the grandstand or on television, Moor said Simeon was still a handful, but a galloper with loads of ability. 

"It may have looked painless but gee he was hard work," Moor said. 

"He bounced away and thought about doing a right-hand turn and then a left-hand turn. 

"Life comes pretty easily to him because he's a quality horse but there's a few quirks to iron out. 

"I just wanted to get out in front and get going early with him and to not get into a tactical dogfight because at the moment, the way he is with his maturity, you couldn't be confident he'd shake off an opponent." 

"He's definitely Saturday grade and with improvement, who knows." 

Busuttin said Simeon could be back at Sandown in a little over two weeks for a three-year-old race over 1600m.