The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable has continued its domination of a qualifying race for Classic contenders with the victory of Ko Phangan at Flemington.
Success in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) gives the winner a ballot exemption into either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Ko Phangan’s victory was the third win in the past four years in Saturday’s race for the stable and comes after Arcora scored for the team last year.
Arcora went on to run second to Observer in last year’s Derby, although Young said the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October was likely to be the spring target for Ko Phangan.
Sent out the $2.05 favourite under Craig Williams, Ko Phangan scored a 2½-length win from Notified ($3) with Achy Breaky Heart ($8) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away in third. Ko Phangan justified favouritism according to leading betting apps Australia.
“He jumped really clean and I was thinking ‘please don’t lead, please don’t lead’,” Young said.
“At his last couple of starts I was wanting him to take a sit and really chase, and today he was able to take a sit, and he was too good for them.
“It is a nice form race this and they usually carry on. Arcora last year went on to win a Derby Prelude and run second in the Derby.
“We know this horse gets the distance, so maybe the Caulfield Guineas in the spring, but he’ll probably have a couple of weeks let-up now and then pick a path to the Guineas.”
Young said she saw Ko Phangan at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and was taken with the colt, thinking he could be a three-year-old Caulfield Guineas type.
“We looked after him and didn’t send him up to Magics after running second in the lead-up behind Unit Five that won the Magic Millions and I’m hoping that pays off this spring,” Young said.
“He’s an Ole Kirk colt, a lovely looking rooster and hopefully he can go on with it.
“He’s got the Green Desert and Poet’s Voice blood and may get 2000 (metres) in time but he has a good turn of foot as he has shown in his last two starts, but he’s just got to the front too soon and he’s floated.
“He can keep his family jewels intact and we can hopefully have a good spring this year.”
