Trent Busuttin believes the stars have aligned in his quest for a second Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) title at Flemington.
The expatriate New Zealand horseman prepared Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) to win the Blue Riband staying feature in 2011, and a case of déjà vu beckons on Saturday with another Kiwi-bred contender in Keeneland (NZ) (Almanzor).
There are an uncanny number of similarities between the pair, serving to boost confidence around the successful Cranbourne stable Busuttin operates with Natalie Young.
“We’ve got the same ownership group, the same colours, the same jockey and I think if the emergencies don’t get a run, then we’ll jump from the same barrier,” he said.
Long-time client Tommy Heptinstall was involved with Sangster and his silks will again be donned by the now Hong Kong-based Hugh Bowman on Saturday.
“Hugh had been watching the horse and got in touch with Tommy after his last run at Caulfield,” Busuttin said.
“I think Keeneland is a great chance, he can win the race for sure.
“He’s had a trouble-free preparation and he’s got the right profile. The track will be firm which will suit him, I can’t see it being wet.”
Out of a mare by Sangster’s sire Savabeel, Keeneland was a minor placegetter in his first two appearance before he broke his maiden at Benalla in early September.
He then bridged the gap to black type company to win the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) on a good track at Flemington before finishing third in the Gr.3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on soft going.
“Sangster got beaten in the Caulfield Classic and so did this horse,” Busuttin said.
“Surprisingly, with his pedigree Keeneland didn’t enjoy the cut out of the ground the other day.
“He sat outside the leader and got beaten on his merits and is simply a genuine tempo horse so the 2500m at Flemington won’t be a crawl.
“We will certainly be happy to see a good, solid tempo and I imagine that is what we’ll get.”
Keeneland is a son of Almanzor, who sired 2022 Derby winner Manzoice, and was purchased out of Kiltannon Stables’ draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $80,000 with Heptinstall, Busuttin Racing and Andrew Campbell Bloodstock signing the ticket.
“The Almanzors are great staying horses and doing a good job so we’re certainly happy to see our bloke at the 2500m,” Busuttin said.
