3 minute read
Muramasa and stablemate Simeon will clash in the Noel Rundle Handicap at Sandown.
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have a such an opinion of Muramasa that they went out and bought the colt's half-brother at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
The I Am Invincible colt was purchased by Busuttin and Young for $260,000 during the week.
"He wasn't the biggest, flashest I Am Invincible, but we know the brother can gallop," Busuttin said.
"He looks a lot like him (Murarmasa), and you can get sucked in to buying a relation to a horse.
"But I genuinely liked him, he looks a lot like him and unless something happens, Muramasa should pick up a Group race at some stage.
"He's still got to come on and improve in the next six months, but we're very happy at that price."
After a set-back that resulted in Muramasa being forced to bypass the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick last Saturday, the colt heads to Sandown on Saturday to contest the Noel Rundle Handicap (1600m).
Busuttin hopes that race will lead to Muramasa's back-up aim of the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville next month.
"He was heading up to Sydney for the Derby but had a bit of a mishap and we've had to redirect towards South Australia," Busuttin said.
"The mile will be too short for him, but by the time he gets to Adelaide in a months' time, it should be all systems go."
A maiden winner on debut, Muramasa headed straight to Stakes company progressing through to the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) in which he finished fifth behind Manzoice.
After a first-up ninth over 1400m in the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, Muramasa went on to finish 13th in the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
"He went fantastic first-up and second-up in the Australian Guineas he had an internal bleed and pulled up bad out of the race, but he'll get back on track," Busuttin said.
Busuttin and Young will also be represented by Simeon in Saturday's race who is coming off an all-the-way win in a 1500m maiden at Sandown on March 22.
"He's jumping up in grade, but he ran quick time and won it well and I think he beat a handy horse of Ciaron Maher's," Busuttin said.
"Hopefully he can step up."