Sully set to be the big improver with the switch to Randwick

Clinton Payne - Thursday Oct 5

Co-trainer Trent Busuttin expects to see the Sully he knows in Saturday's Group I Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Advertisement
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are expecting a stronger performance from Sully in the Spring Champion Stakes on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart

Busuttin trains the son of Reliable Man in partnership with Natalie Young and conceded he's not sure he can find the 5-3/4 lengths needed to turn the tables on the Gloaming Stakes winner Ace High.

But he's adamant the horse Sydney racegoers saw at Rosehill wasn't a true reflection of Sully.

"He raced a bit flat off the eight-day back-up in the Gloaming Stakes," Busuttin said.

"It was all a bit too rushed for him but I think you'll see a different horse on Saturday.

"It all probably happened a bit too quick for him and I think it just took the edge off him at Rosehill.

"First time around the Sydney way at Rosehill I've found horses really improve off it.

"They are different horses when they get to Randwick and I'm hoping that will be the case with Sully.

"I'm not saying he will beat horses like Ace High and Sanctioned, but I'm confident there won't be as big a margin between them this time."

Busuttin has tinkered with Sully's gear since his last start fourth placing and has taken a different approach in the preparation of the lightly-raced gelding which is an $8 equal fourth favourite for Saturday's Group I contest.

"We haven't done a lot of work with him since the Rosehill run," he said. "We've kept him ticking over with a lot of swimming and walking and he's freshened up well.

"We've also put a hood (blinkers) on him for Saturday which will also see him more focused if his work is anything to go by.

"We were hoping to be a bit closer in the run this time but that went out the window with the barrier draw.

"I know he's a better horse than what people saw at Rosehill, he's learning all the time and hopefully he puts his best foot forward on Saturday."

Sully will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla on Saturday.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 10
Here is the full list of 16 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.
Frankel Heads Juddmonte Euro Roster at £350,000
Fresh from siring outstanding young stayer Point of Law (GB) to win the $10m Group I VRC Melbourne Cup, champion sire Frankel will again top the roster at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Darley Announce 2027 European Fees -Night of Thunder Soars to €450,000
It will be Dubawi central at Darley in 2027 with the legendary 24YO sire priced at £350,000, but the roster is topped by his champion son Night of Thunder at €450,000 and there are three more G1 winning sons or grand-sons of Dubawi also added to a power packed roster.
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
Unraced First Season Sires Trial Report
It’s been a pretty steady start to spring in terms of 2YO races and we are still waiting to see a first season sire post a winner, but there has been action aplenty at the trials which would indicate the pre-Christmas period is set to ignite.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.
G1 Aussie Pedigree Watch –Newly Minted
Pedigree does matter if you want to be winning races longer than 1200m, although in an interesting twist a colt bred on face value for speed is in fact from the family of Zabeel.
Haras d'Etreham Set Fee for Hotazhell
Triple Group I winner Hotazhell will begin his stallion career at Haras d'Etreham in France at a fee of €15,000 next year before then shuttling to Widden Stud in Australia.