Main Stage Leads Derby Charge

Media Release - Sunday October 8

An assault on the prestigious Group I Victoria Derby gathered momentum on the weekend for ex-pat kiwi couple Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young who look likely to have a trio of stable contenders face the starter for the blue riband event on 4 November.

Main Stage - Grant CourtneyThe Cranbourne based couple have six horses nominated for the 2500 metre classic with Main Stage, Johnny Vinko and Sully all looking likely prospects following some sparkling results on Saturday. 

Reliable Man gelding Main Stage caught the eye as he stormed home from near last to snatch victory in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington with Johnny Vinko also finishing resolutely to hold third in the same race.

In Sydney an unfavourable barrier draw played against stable runner Sully who made up good ground in the run home to finish third in the Gr. 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m). It was a performance that had Busuttin rueing a lack of tempo in the race that cost his runner a winning chance.

"Once we drew wide we had to go back with him which isn't the place to be in those Sydney staying races," he commented.

"They just tend to sit and sprint in all their races over a trip and it was the same on Saturday.

"Once we got back there wasn't a lot we could do about it and with the ground he made up I definitely think it cost him a win."

Busuttin was also full of compliments for the performance of his Flemington pair who have made steady progress in recent weeks.

"Both horses have really come on well and we've been delighted with how they have been going," he said.

"Main Stage had been narrowly beaten at his last start and he took plenty of improvement from that run. His performance on Saturday was top notch as he came from near last on the corner and was still going strongly at the line.

"Johnny Vinko is still a maiden but has done nothing wrong to date and we were rapt with how he went in his biggest test to date.

"It was a fabulous result and could only have been better if we had run first and second."

Busuttin will now use traditional lead-up events to fit his charges for their Derby challenge with Johnny Vinko likely to contest the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on 25 October while Sully and Main Stage could clash in either the Ladbrokes Classic (2000m) at Caulfield on 21 October or the Gr. 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day, 28 October. –NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.