Former Perth galloper Bustling will head to a Stakes race at Caulfield for his second start after a long lay-off.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding galloped between races at Sandown on Saturday in preparation for the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on May 30.
Bustling was a high-priced purchase out of Perth as a late two-year-old and was being prepared for a tilt at The Everest in 2024 when sidelined after finishing second last in the Run To The Rose in the lead up.
The gelding did not make his return until finishing third over 1000m at Caulfield on May 9.
Saturday’s Sandown hit-out under Craig Williams was Bustling first serious gallop since that first-up run and it pleased Kent Jnr.
“It went exactly to script,” Kent Jnr said.
“He moved perfectly. A lovely action when he was at full speed. It was a really nice exercise to stimulate him.
“He was off 600 plus days into his first-up run and we’re trying to get him back.
“Craig said he loved it (Slow 7) and he said he handled it no problem at all, but work pressure and race pressure are two different things.
“I’m really happy with the horse and can’t fault him.”
Kent Jnr said he the Sandown gallop should bring Bustling on nicely following his first-up outing.
But importantly the gelding has had no soundness issues this campaign.
Kent Jnr is expecting Bustling to get into Saturday’s race on the minimum.
“He’ll drop from 62 (kilos), to I daresay the minimum as he’s got a rating of 88, so in a Listed race, he should be on the minimum,” Kent Jnr said.
“Craig will ride him and the rise in distance will suit.
“He had not raced over 1000 (metres) before. There were a fair few things against first-up, but I thought he ran particularly well first-up as he gave eight kilos to the winner and 10 kilos to the second horse and kept coming past the post.
“I suppose there is some chance of a dour second-up run off a long break, but we hope not to see that.
“Hopefully the Bel Esprit is a nice for him.
Meanwhile the Melbourne Racing Club held a trial prior to the first race on Saturday over 1200m on the Sandown Hillside track as it explores the option of a new starting position.
Currently, the shortest trip on the Sandown Hillside track is 1300m.
“The purpose of Saturday’s trial was to give Racing Victoria stewards and senior jockeys the opportunity to review the proposed 1200-metre start under controlled conditions,” an MRC spokesperson said.
“Any future use of the 1200-metre start would be subject to the appropriate approvals, and we will be guided by the feedback received.
“Sandown Hillside plays an important role in the Victorian racing program and if approved, a 1200-metre start would provide additional programming flexibility.
“However, it is imperative that any decision is supported by proper process and confidence of the relevant racing stakeholders.”
