Three-year-old colt Footlights (NZ) (Savabeel) made an impressive debut when coming from off the pace to score over 1400m at Cranbourne on Saturday for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
Enjoying the strong tempo set by Kiwi raider Rhinoceros (NZ) (Vadamos), who finished a credible fourth, Footlights impressed winning rider Luke Currie, who had kept an eye on the Savabeel youngster despite not riding him in any jumpouts.
“I had been on a couple of others for Trent and Natalie, but I kept my on eye on him because I liked him,” Currie said.
“It was nice to jump on board today.
“It is nice to see him be sharp enough to win at his first go at the seven (furlongs). I think he will be ideal when he gets out in trip.”
A brother to three winners, Footlights is out of the unraced Pins mare On Broadway who is a sister to the multiple winners and black-type performers Pins On Parade and Dower.
Footlights was sold by Waikato Stud for $220,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale to Jamie and Chanel Beatson’s Ohukia Lodge, who subsequently offered him at the NZB Ready to Run Sale, with Busuttin and Young having the final say at $400,000.
“We like the horse. We paid a bit of money for him in New Zealand,” Busuttin said.
“Jamie Beatson actually pushed very hard for us to buy him, and stayed in the horse, which has a good crew of owners.
“At this time of year you nominate them for everything, but 2000m is going to be his go I would suggest.
“He is good looking horse who came with a decent price-tag, but it looks alright now.”
