The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young training team has maintained its strong record in qualifying races for Classic contenders with the impressive victory of Ko Phangan at Flemington.
Securing the win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) provides Ko Phangan with a valuable ballot exemption into either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the renowned Melbourne Cup Carnival.
This victory represents the third occasion in the past four years that the stable has claimed this Saturday race, building on the success of Arcora the previous year.
While Arcora went on to achieve a second-place finish behind Observer in last year’s Derby, Young indicated that the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October is the more probable spring destination for Ko Phangan.
Sent out as the $2.05 favourite under the guidance of jockey Craig Williams, Ko Phangan delivered a dominant 2½-length triumph over Notified ($3), with Achy Breaky Heart ($8) finishing a further three-quarters of a length adrift in third.
“He jumped really clean and I was thinking ‘please don’t lead, please don’t lead’,” Young stated.
“At his last couple of starts I was wanting him to take a sit and really chase, and today he was able to take a sit, and he was too good for them.
“It is a nice form race this and they usually carry on. Arcora last year went on to win a Derby Prelude and run second in the Derby.
“We know this horse gets the distance, so maybe the Caulfield Guineas in the spring, but he’ll probably have a couple of weeks let-up now and then pick a path to the Guineas.”
Young mentioned that she first saw Ko Phangan at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and was captivated by the colt, believing he had the potential to be a Caulfield Guineas type for his three-year-old season.
“We looked after him and didn’t send him up to Magics after running second in the lead-up behind Unit Five that won the Magic Millions and I’m hoping that pays off this spring,” Young said.
“He’s an Ole Kirk colt, a lovely looking rooster and hopefully he can go on with it.
“He’s got the Green Desert and Poet’s Voice blood and may get 2000 (metres) in time but he has a good turn of foot as he has shown in his last two starts, but he’s just got to the front too soon and he’s floated.
“He can keep his family jewels intact and we can hopefully have a good spring this year.”
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