Trent Busuttin’s suspicion he may have a possible Derby horse on his hands was endorsed at Flemington on Saturday with the gallant debut win of Celestial Fury (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Rod Johnson Handicap (1420m).
Purchased by Busuttin last November as a two-year-old at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for $120,000 as a staying prospect, Celestial Fury showed true grit to fend off his rivals for jockey Craig Newitt in a performance over seven furlongs that suggested a genuine staying future for the son of Savabeel.
“We’ve had a bit of luck at those Ready To Runs – we bought Albarado out of one and he ran second in this race last year,” Busuttin said, having prepared another Ready To Run Sale graduate Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) to win the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) in 2011.
“I can’t say I thought he’d win but I told the owners that he should run well as he’d trialed up nicely
“Going forward, you’d have to say he looks a nice staying three-year-old in the spring so we’ll give him a run at a mile next (Taj Rossi final at Flemington) then he can have a short break before we target the spring.”
After looking likely to be swamped late, Celestial Fury ($26) held on by a short neck over Secret Glamour ($3.50) with a long neck to the well-backed favourite Somewatt Fabulous ($2.90).
Newitt said Celestial Fury had plenty to learn but he had talent.
“He was only doing as much as I was asking him to do,” Newitt said.
“I was cursing halfway through the run, he kept dropping the bridle on me.
“I had to keep slapping him up to keep him up. He’s a horse that has shown us he could get over a bit of ground.
“To his credit, every time I slapped him up he came back underneath me. I thought we were in a bit of strife from the 300m and Secret Glamour quickened from behind us and put probably half-a-length on us. To my bloke’s credit he really stuck his head out.
“When they’re kicking off over 1400 metres you know that they’re not going to jump and run.
“He’s shown good ability and I’m sure come springtime over probably a mile or mile-and-a-quarter he’s a horse that you’re going to hear a bit more of.”
Celestial Fury was bred by Kevin Hickman of Valachi Downs, and sold through Riverrock Farm at the Ready To Run Sale. Out of the Galileo mare Sister Celeste, Celestial Fury is a half-brother to Group One placed Kelly Renee (NZ) (Vespa).
