Bit of luck to make the season of Sully
HUGH Bowman and Trent Busuttin combined for Victoria Derby glory six years ago and the pair have a similar inkling with Sully in today’s $ 1.5 million feature at Flemington.
Bowman, the toast of Australia aboard Winx last week, has ridden three Derby winners this decade, starting with Lion Tamer in 2010, Sangster ( 2011) and Polanski ( 2013).
Sangster was a career breakthrough for Busuttin, who now trains in partnership with Natalie Young.
Sully is one of three runners for the stable in the Derby, joining Main Stage and outsider Johnny Vinko.
A fourth runner, Beachwood, fourth emergency. is
“( Sully) looks a nice horse,” Bowman said. “I need luck from the gate because it’s an awkward draw, but he’s absolutely good enough.”
Both Sully and Main Stage are by the Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Reliable Man, giving Busuttin confidence the pair will cope better than most with today’s 2500m.
“Breeding stands out all the time and with our horses it’s less of a worry than others,” he said. “Their sire was a 2400m horse and they are also bred to stay on their dam side.”
Sully has been given a similar preparation to Sangster, being taken to Sydney before the tilt on the Derby, although he bypassed the Norman Robinson ( Caulfield Classic) to go straight into the Derby.
Busuttin feels he is quite capable of turning the tables on Ace High, but luck in running would play a part.
“We were unlucky ( in the Spring Champion) no question. We got back on the rail in a slowly run race, but I think we’re in the same boat again,” he said.
“Ace High is a Group 1 winner that puts himself on speed and makes his own luck. He’s bred to get the distance too and is a worthy favourite.”
Busuttin rates Sully slightly in front of Main Stage after that horse’s last- start defeat at Caulfield.
“I thought he was a touch disappointing for the fact he didn’t pull away from the fourth and fifth horses,” he said. “Obviously the race was run in a sit and sprint, with leader bias, but if he’d pulled away by half a length on the other horses I would have been a bit happier, but no point worrying about it.
“What do you do? You can dwell on it, but he’s come through it and is going well.
“From the draw we will get back and need tempo. Whether we get it or not we will see.
“Johnny Vinko will run better than his price suggests. He’s still a maiden and ran bad last start, but he will run well.
“If you go there thinking you’re going to win, you’re going to be disappointed more often than not and it’s the same this year.
“We’ve got three should run well.” chances that