Co-trainer Trent Busuttin confirmed the Sydney Cup 2017 during next April’s The Championships in Sydney was a likely autumn target for the stable’s ATC Derby winner Tavago.
ATC Derby winner Tavago will be aimed at the 2017 Sydney Cup during next autumn’s The Championships. Photo: Steve Hart.
Kiwi duo Busuttin and Natalie Young are now based at Cranbourne in Victoria and are hoping Tavistock four-year-old Tavago can return to form next Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
The gelding hit great heights as a three-year-old this autumn gone when beating home subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Jameka by over three lengths at Royal Randwick in the Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m).
He returned in the spring but failed to come on and finished well back in both the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) when 11th two Awesome Rock at Moonee Valley and dead last when 10th to Black Heart Bart in Caulfield’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) in September.
Tavago has been in the paddock since and Busuttin is confident punters will see better things for the stayer when he returns to Sydney next year.
“He’s been going [back in the stable] for 10 days now. He’ll have a low build-up, he’s put on a heap of weight,” Busuttin told Racing Victoria on Monday.
“He’s looking good.
“While we have no kick-off plan, in the back of the mind is the Sydney Cup or a race like that.”
The $2 million Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) runs over the two miles at Randwick on Day 2 of The Championships, Saturday April 8, 2017.
The past two four-year-old Sydney Cup winners were both mares with Honor Babe (2003) and Jessicabeel (2010) getting the job done over their older rivals.
Tie The Knot (1999) for his second was the last male four-year-old Sydney Cup champion, a hoodoo Tavago will be out to break in 2017.
Busuttin is also looking at chasing back-to-back ATC Derby wins next autumn eyeing the three-years-old feature with Fastnet Rock colt Anaheim.
The three-year-old missed a run in the Victoria Derby this Melbourne Cup Carnival.
He picked up a consolation prize however at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day winning the Listed Connoisseur Stakes (1800m).
The $2 million Group 1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) runs the Saturday before the Sydney Cup on April 1, 2017.
Lee Freedman was the last trainer to prepare successive Australian Derby winners with Durbridge (1991) and Naturalism (1992).
While the 2017 ATC Derby is the big race they’d love to win with Anaheim, Busuttin said other staying features for three-year-olds including the SA Derby and Queensland Derby would also be considered.
The Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) runs at Morphettville on May 13, while the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) takes place at Eagle Farm Racecourse on June 10.
“He’s obviously got to take a step up,” Busuttin said of Anaheim.
“We wanted to get him into the Victorian Derby, but he didn’t quite get there. He was on the ballot.
“He went in the 1800m race, he didn’t beat too much but they can only win.
“Obviously, the Sydney one has the most money, but we’re just trying to win a good race with him.”
To back Busuttin’s autumn contingent at the best early carnival odds make sure you’ve got an open online at Ladbrokes.com.au.
