Pascero remains unbeaten after another decisive win at Sandown
Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will test Pascero at stakes level after the three-year-old made it two-from-two at Sandown.
A debut winner at the track in January, Pascero showed a nice turn of foot to claim the Ladbrokes Blended Bets Handicap (1400m) on Wednesday.
Busuttin said the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 19 was next on the agenda for Pascero and if he shows he is up to the task, the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) two weeks later could also be on the radar.
Sent out the $2.80 favourite under Damian Lane, Pascero scored by a length from the fast-finishing Pounding ($6) with Titan Of Choice ($5) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Despite being a month between runs, Busuttin said it was nice to see Pascero put two wins on end despite the colt tiring late.
“He’s a big strong horse that has plenty of improvement to come,” Busuttin said.
“We’ve got ambitions for the horse, as does everyone when you’re going to the autumn, and you have to plan backwards from what you’ve got in mind.
“We’ll go into the C S Hayes Stakes now in close to two weeks’ time and this fitted in perfectly for him.
“As for the Australian Guineas, that’s the hope, that’s the dream, that’s what it’s all about.
“It was a benchmark 64 today so he’s got to continue to step up. Hopefully he does.”
Lane said Pascero would not be out of place in the C S Hayes and that it would be up to the colt to show whether he would be worthy of taking a spot in the Australian Guineas.
“He’s still a little bit awkward out of the barriers which is probably going to be him,” Lane said.
“I really liked the way he finished off his race. When I asked him to pick up the horse in front he really let down and I was happy with the way he ran through the line.
“At this stage I would say he’s ready to go to that next level.”
