The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained improver Anaheim is likely to have secured a spot in Saturday’s Victoria Derby 2016 field at Flemington after breaking his maiden status at Benalla on Monday.
Ben Melham rates roughie hope Anaheim a genuine smoky chance should he run in the 2016 Victoria Derby field on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Costello.
A nicely-bred son of Fastnet Rock, the colt posted his first win at career start number five in a Maiden Plate over 2040m at the Benalla country track and could now be thrown straight into the deep end.
It was a tough first win from the up-and-comer who was held up for a run on the turn before fighting back to beat home Red Velvet Swing by 1.5 lengths with Ben Melham in the saddle.
The colt is as yet untested in the big city or in Black-Type let alone elite level company, but his co-trainer Young is keen to run him in the $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) on the weekend so long as he pulls up well.
“It was a bit [awkward in the run] but it was probably good for him today because it probably made him think a little bit and hit the line and that’s what this horse needs,” Young told Racing Victoria on Monday post-race.
“He just loses concentration a little bit and that’s why he’s got blinkers on.
“We’ll have to see how he goes home and eats tonight but if he comes through the race OK then we’re probably going to have to have a go at [the Derby].”
Formerly based in New Zealand, Young and Busuttin now prepare horses out of their Cranbourne base in Victoria.
Busuttin has had two runners in a Victoria Derby field to date and enjoyed the win five years ago with the Kiwi raider Sangster (2011).
He was the second New Zealand-trained VRC Derby winner in as many years following the success of Murray Baker’s Lion Tamer (2010).
Anaheim is only currently rated a $41 shot in the pre-field Victoria Derby betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.
His winning hoop on Monday Melham however said he was a genuine chance in the staying showdown against better fancied rivals with the pace on at Flemington.
“I thought he should have won the other day, but he got to the front and did a bit wrong,” Melham said.
“When he got to the front again today he wanted to clock off but if he goes to the Derby in a better class of race with a bit more tempo you’d be able to ride him more conservatively and save him up for one run at them late.
“Whether he’s good enough I’m not sure, but I’m sure he’ll improve as he gets into a better grade.”
There have been plenty of recent upset Victoria Derby results including Fiveandahalfstar ($40 in 2012) and Rebel Raider ($100 in 2008).
Current favourite leading the all-in Victoria Derby odds at $3.40 is the Tony Pike-trained Kiwi Sacred Elixir.
The Pour Moi gelding won the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last Saturday and now chases a double most recently completed by Efficient (2006).
See below for the current top fancies in the futures Victoria Derby 2016 markets at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of final acceptances closing at 9:30am (AEDT) on Wednesday morning.
