Co-trainer Trent Busuttin is looking for Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) to return to form in the Gr.1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot but even if he does, he doubts he could defeat Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux).
However, Busuttin has spent his life in racing and knows that the sport can provide unexpected results.
“If Zaaki brings his best form, he wins the race. But in horse racing it’s not that straight forward. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be running,” Busuttin said.
“Forgot You isn’t up to Zaaki’s class. He’s a four times Group One winner, who got beaten two lengths in a Cox Plate two starts ago. We are a Group Two winner twice as a three-year-old and a recent Listed winner.”
Busuttin is expecting Forgot You to run a better race than his 14th in the Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 25. At his previous start, Forgot You was successful at Flemington in a Listed 1800-metre race.
Busuttin found two reasons as to why Forgot You didn’t run well in the Railway Stakes.
“The way the track played was very leader biased and we were out the back,” he said. “Last week, Ascot played fair and they came from back and wide. Whichever way you look at it, it’s a full field and there should be good speed which will suit him.
“The first half of the field stayed where they were; the race didn’t change complexion.”
Busuttin said all the eastern state horses who ran that day failed, which could have been due to the heat in Perth.
“It was a very hot week that one,” he said. “The four horses from the eastern states who raced that day went poorly. It has to have had some effect on them.”
“They are excuses though. We can say this and that and the other, but he’s still got to do it.”
“He needs to improve. At his best, he’s capable of picking up prizemoney, for sure.”
Busuttin said Forgot You also had to overcome barrier 13, but his work had been good.
“He’s over there and has pulled up well. He’s likely to get back to his best form.”
