Unbeaten this preparation, Blind Raise will attempt to complete a spring hat-trick in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, with co-trainer Trent Busuttin confident the talented gelding has further improvement to come.
The son of Ace High has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the three-year-old feature after winning both starts this campaign for Busuttin and training partner Natalie Young.
Blind Raise resumed with victory in the Listed McKenzie Stakes at Sandown before producing an emphatic 2¾-length success in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude on September 19.
Speaking on Thursday’s Giddy Up with Gareth Hall, Busuttin revealed the gelding had previously dealt with respiratory issues but was now thriving ahead of his biggest assignment.
“He’s always been prone to, I guess, the equivalent of asthma for humans. Always just had a bit of a cold or a mucus down his throat,” he said.
The stable had also been monitoring Blind Raise’s coat earlier in his preparation, although Busuttin said his appearance had improved significantly.
“He’s gleaming, and he’s a pretty happy horse himself,” Busuttin said.
Champion jockey Blake Shinn will partner Blind Raise from the inside barrier, with Busuttin happy to leave the tactical decisions to his rider.
While the stable would ideally like the gelding to settle behind another runner, Busuttin indicated he would have no concerns if Shinn elected to take up the running.
“He’s always nice to take a sit and be peeling off something’s back, no question,” Busuttin said. “It wouldn’t worry me to see him in front.”
A strong performance on Saturday could also open the door to an ambitious Group 1 Cox Plate appearance at Moonee Valley a fortnight later.
Busuttin confirmed the stable would seriously consider the weight-for-age championship if Blind Raise proves himself against the best three-year-olds in the Caulfield Guineas.
“But yeah, if he runs well, or if he wins or goes close to it or whatever, we’d certainly be having a good hard look at it,” Busuttin said.
