While the $5 million All-Star Mile has become a target race with the rich prizemoney on offer, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are happy to swim in a smaller pond.
Group 1 races worth $750,000 by the same token are not to be taken lightly and Busuttin and Young are keen to chase for a dividend in those races.
While Sierra Sue is among the entries for the All-Star Mile, Busuttin and Young have their eyes on a couple of Group 1 1400m races at Caulfield, starting with the C F Orr Stakes on Saturday and then the Futurity Stakes two weeks later.
Sierra Sue won two 1400m races at Caulfield last spring, the Group 2 Peter Lawrence Stakes in August and two starts later the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
Busuttin and Young then stepped Sierra Sue up to 1600m, where she finished last in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap before finishing 10th in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes.
“I think she’s a seven-furlong filly,” Busuttin said.
“Everyone’s talking about the All-Star Mile, but the C F Orr, it’s a Group 1 worth $750,000 race and I don’t think you need to look too much further than it.
“We’ll look at the Futurity two weeks later, that would be the next logical race I would presume.”
Sierra Sue won a jump-out at Cranbourne last week, defeating I’m Thunderstruck, and Busuttin said the daughter of Darci Brahma was in excellent shape.
“She’s not going to present 100 per cent fit, but I think 90 per cent of the field will be the same,” Busuttin said.
“I assume Behemoth and Streets Of Avalon are going there, and they will be a bit fitter having had the run, but they don’t look to be in as dominant form as they were this time last year.
“If she can produce one of her better runs, she’ll be around the mark and I’m pretty confident that she’s pretty well in herself.”
A total of 21 horses have been entered for Saturday’s Group 1 contest, in which Sierra Sue was posted a $15 chance in TAB’s All-In market that was released on Monday afternoon.
Other entries include $3.50 favourite Sinawann, I’m Thunderstruck ($4.50), Tofane ($6), Behemoth ($8) and $11 chances Cascadian and Lighthouse.
