Tavirun (NZ) (Tavistock) may be having his fifth start this preparation at Flemington on Saturday, but it will be the first time his trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have been satisfied with his fitness level this campaign.
The son of Tavistock finished last over 1600m first-up at Flemington in May but has made steady progress and finished runner-up over 2100m at Sandown earlier this month.
His trainers are pleased with him heading into the Happy Retirement Pat Hyland (2000m) and they expect him to be competitive this weekend.
“He was off the scene for a long time and while his form probably doesn’t look outstanding on paper, it has taken a long time to get him fit after coming back from a major injury,” Busuttin said.
“We haven’t been able to do too much work with him in-between races.
“He will strip fit for the first time on Saturday and on his work he will give them something to catch over 2000m.”
Stablemate and compatriot Savvy Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) may also line-up over 1200m this weekend.
The son of Savabeel disappointed in his first two starts in Australia in February and Busuttin said he has appreciated a spell.
“Being a three-year-old you try and give them a push for three-year-old races, but basically he was a tired horse and raced like a tired horse, so we gave him a spell.
“Whether he runs down the straight on Saturday, I am not sure. We might hold him up, there are a couple of options next week around a bend.”
Meanwhile, Group One performer Sully (NZ) (Reliable Man) has been put on notice heading into Saturday.
“Sully has been through the wars a bit, the old horse. He hasn’t done what we had hoped in his last couple of runs, so if he doesn’t step up he will be retired after Saturday,” Busuttin said.
