Blind Raise has emerged as a leading contender for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas following his impressive victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained gelding started the 1400m feature as the $2.40 favourite and overcame the widest barrier under Blake Shinn to defeat Tornado Valley and American Eagle.
The victory took Blind Raise’s record to four wins from five starts and further enhanced his credentials ahead of the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10.
The son of Ace High was subsequently quoted at $4 for the Group 1, narrowly behind Chris Waller-trained Tron Bolt at $3.50, although some markets had the pair sharing favouritism.
Busuttin confirmed Blind Raise would now head directly to the Caulfield Guineas after backing up on a two-week turnaround into the Prelude.
The three-year-old also holds a nomination for the Group 1 Cox Plate, which will be staged two weeks after the Guineas.
Bred by The Oaks Stud, Blind Raise is the second foal from Darci Brahma mare Away Cruising, a daughter of seven-time Group 1 winner and dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Seachange.
Blind Raise was offered as Lot 467 in The Oaks’ Karaka 2025 Book 1 draft but initially failed to meet his reserve. Busuttin Young Racing subsequently secured him privately for $70,000 several days later.
“He was a beautiful yearling, he was a big, kind horse and has stayed that way,” Oaks general manager Rick Williams told NZ Racing News. “He’s got all the talent, that’s for sure.”
His emergence has provided another boost for a Seachange family The Oaks continues to develop extensively.
“All branches of the Seachange family have been winning, they’re flying at the moment and we’re still breeding from seven or eight of the family, daughters and granddaughters,” Williams said.
Away Cruising also has a juvenile full brother to Blind Raise. The colt was withdrawn from the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale following a superficial paddock injury but has since been broken in, with The Oaks yet to decide whether he will be raced or sold.
The mare also has an Almanzor colt scheduled to be offered for sale in 2027 and is due to foal to Almanzor again in October.
With Blind Raise now established among the leading Caulfield Guineas contenders, the latest generation is further strengthening one of The Oaks’ most important families.
– NZ Racing Desk
