Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young unearthed a Derby prospect at Bendigo on Thursday when Kosgei (The Autumn Sun) scored on debut over 1400m.
A three-year-old son of The Autumn Sun, Kosgei is a half-brother to Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock) whom the stable prepared to win the 2016 Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m).
“He’s shown us a bit, ultimately he’s going to get out over a trip – he’s a half-brother to Tavago, who we had earlier on – but he’s a bigger, stronger version.
“He’d trialled up nicely and he was obviously well-ridden today by Blake (Shinn). It was a nice win.”
Named after champion Kenyan marathon runner Brigid Kosgei, the gelding was bred by the late Sir Patrick Hogan and failed to meet his $160,000 reserve at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale where he was presented by Regal Farm.
Busuttin said Kosgei is now likely to head to the A$75,000 Darley Colts & Geldings Spring Preview (1800m) at Flemington on September 24, which carries a ballot exemption from the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m).
