The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable is looking to get the Australian Derby program for Emphasize back on track when he runs at Moonee Valley.
Emphasize runs in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) on Saturday with the performance to decide whether the gelding runs in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 5, a race in which the Busuttin and Young stable could have as many as four runners.
Group 1 New Zealand Derby runner-up Thedoctoroflove has been confirmed as a starter at Randwick while stablemates Tsitsipas and Confetti Garden will run in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill next Saturday in a bid to confirm their places.
Tsitsipas and Confetti Garden had also been entered for the Alister Clark Stakes on Saturday.
Successful at Sale in maiden grade in January, Emphasize took on the older horses in winning a benchmark 70 race over 2000m at Caulfield on February 8 before returning to that track when fourth in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) two weeks later with Craig Williams in the saddle who has the ride again on Saturday.
“He’s had a little bit of a freshen up,” Young said.
“That last run at Caulfield, he wasn’t suited leading at that slow tempo, so it didn’t go our way, but he pulled up fine from it.
“He’s had a nice relaxing week after that and his work has been exceptional afterwards.
“If he gets around The Valley, I’m sure he’ll give it a shake and depending on what happens on Saturday, he’ll be heading straight to the Derby where we could have four runners.
“Tsitsipas and Confetti Garden will run in the Tulloch Stakes next week while Thedoctoroflove who finished second in the New Zealand Derby will head straight to it.”