Not for the first time, Uncle Bryn trialled at Cranbourne on the first Monday in August, but the approach to this year’s P B Lawrence Stakes resumption has been different to last year.
Instead of being the eye-catcher in a workout that included established stars such as I’m Thunderstruck, as he was last year, Uncle Bryn was not knocked around when finishing seventh of nine, albeit just over two lengths from winner Dubai Poet.
It was the gelding’s second hitout this campaign, following a jumpout sixth placing on July 17, and Busuttin said he is again ready for the $300,000 Group 2 Lawrence Stakes (1400m), a race in which he finished a 2-3/4-length sixth as a $7.50 chance last year.
“He’ll kick off in the Lawrence, he ran in the race last year and I think he’s going similarly,” the Cranbourne trainer said.
“He’s come back good, he’s trialled up nicely now twice, so he’ll go to the Lawrence and we’ll work things out from there.
“We’ll see where he ends up in the spring but I’m sure there’s a nice race for him somewhere.”
The Lawrence Stakes run was the start of a campaign that realised Listed 1600m wins in the Sale Cup and Cranbourne Cup, but the son of Sea The Stars failed to come up in autumn, when twice unplaced before a cut leg forced the abandonment of the campaign.
“For whatever reason in the autumn he didn’t come up and then he had issues and we basically aborted the program by the end of things,” Busuttin said.
Uncle Bryn was not the Busuttin/Young stable’s only Monday trialler who is likely to resume in the Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 19 with former classy staying three-year-old Forgot You also ready to resume.
The son of Savabeel was nosed out by Boldinho in what was his second trial for the campaign and Busuttin said the Lawrence was a good option for the dual Group 2 winner, who is one the comeback trail after a suspensor injury.
“He’s going to be a five-year-old bull 18 months between runs, but we’ll probably give him a spin around in the Lawrence just to get him going,” Busuttin said.
“He’s a genuine Group horse and he’ll end up being competitive in Group races throughout the prep, but he’s going to need the run for sure first -up.”
