Cup bid coming together

Busuttin excited at Dancer’s chances

TRAINER Trent Busuttin’s demeanour on race day is that of someone who is calm and relaxed.

But recently Busuttin has been a little on edge as the Caulfield Cup, on today with a winner’s cheque of $3 million, drew closer.

He trains with partner Natalie Young and prepares Mirage Dancer, a former member of English trainer Sir Michael Stoute’s stable.

Mirage Dancer runs for the first time for the team in today’s Cup (2400m).

Busuttin travelled back and forth to England after stable clients bought Mirage Dancer and he has spent countless hours at Werribee racecourse where the horse spent two weeks undergoing quarantine.

The horse moved to their Cranbourne yard last week and they have gone about putting the finishing touches to the six-year-old’s Cup bid.

Busuttin says it has gone smoothly, though he would have liked a better draw than 13.

Mirage Dancer will start from barrier nine if all four emergencies fail to gain a start.

“I don’t want to get toey,” Busuttin said.

“I want to go in with low expectations rather than high hopes, but I really think we’ve got a horse with a chance in the race. I’ve been told by people that know the form that we’ve got the right horse for the race if he turns up in the right condition.

“I think he has turned up in the right condition, but you don’t know until the day.”

Although Mirage Dancer has been at the Cranbourne stable for less than a week, Busuttin said he had settled in.

“He’s a six-year-old stallion but the way he goes about things you’d think he’s an eight-year-old gelding,” the trainer said.

“He’s got a great temperament, he’s a very impressive horse and hopefully we’ll see if that translates to race day.

“We’ve done our part and it’s up to Benny Melham.

“He’s one of the form jockeys at the moment.

“We’re happy with the jockey, happy with the horse.”