It shapes as a big ask, but Misty Bazeley is not discounting that she can add a Bunbury Cup trophy to her CV and match the exploits of her partner in the trainer’s honour roll.
Aaron Bazeley was the toast of the family after Burger Time’s upset victory six years ago, but on Saturday it’s the turn of Misty Bazeley to plot her own triumph with resurgent galloper, Magic Whistle.
Burger Time won as a $41outsider in 2019 and despite Magic Whistle being priced at $17, Bazeley believes if he maintains his level of improvement, he’s capable of scoring a similar result.
Magic Whistle has flourished since transferring to Bazeley’s team, relishing a change of stable environment and the results have stacked up with the six-year-old arguably striking the best form of his career.
Under Bazeley’s watchful eye since a switch from previous trainer Dean Skipworth in December, the Galah gelding has put together a sequence of three wins and a second from six starts this campaign.
Magic Whistle goes into the Bunbury Cup on the quick turnaround, booking his spot a week after a strong performance to lead and win over 2200m at Ascot, holding all rivals at bay and scoring by 1 ¼ lengths.
Bazeley concedes it would be a dream to win the Bunbury Cup, but she knows she has a horse that is in form, proven at the distance, content in his new environment and happy to be going to the races.
“He’s going to be at any old odds again,” Bazeley said to Racing WA.
“He goes under the radar.
“I don’t think I’ve had a horse come through every run and get better.
“He’s always had ability, but he’s just enjoying the way I do things
“He’s working every day, working in the heavy sand, working at the beach.
“It was hard in the beginning, but he now just loves it and eats the work up.
“He’s very fit now and into a routine.”
Magic Whistle’s chances were given a jolt after coming up with barrier 17, but Bazeley is not too fussed.
“I would rather have drawn wide than one on him,” Bazeley said.
“He can step a bit tardy sometimes.
“When we first got him he didn’t like being crowded.
“One of the starts I gave him he got crowded early and lost his position and lost his head a little bit.
“He got out of it, but it was uncomfortable for him.
“Going forward and finding a spot that’s comfortable is better for him.
“He doesn’t have to lead and can work to the front pack if he wants to.”
A key role in Magic Whistle’s form turnaround has been jockey Luke Campbell.
“Every time he’s ridden him the horse seems to have gone better for him,” Bazeley said.
“It’s easy putting a jockey on that already knows the horse and already has a plan.
“He has the confidence already.”
Magic Whistle could set up a lucrative weekend for Bazeley with Maxwhooshtapin in the Listed Lex Piper Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Sunday.
The three-year-old resumes after breaking maiden status at his second start at Pinjarra in January.
In a field of eight he has barrier six and will be ridden by Luke Campbell.
Bazeley expects the Pride Of Dubai gelding to improve off his first up outing.
At $81, he’s the outsider of the field with online betting sites.
