Mabeel does it tough for impressive Ellerslie win

Exciting sprinter Mabeel doesn’t like doing things the easy way and he showed that last Saturday with a typically tenacious performance to score over 1400 metres in rating 85 company on the first day of the Ellerslie Christmas Carnival.

The headstrong son of Savabeel overcame a tardy start and a wide run early to lead for the last 1200 metres of the contest as he scorched to an impressive victory in a blistering 1.21.52 for the journey. To put that time into context, brilliant three-year-old Xtravagant went a full second slower in 1.22.62 in the following race while Seventh Up could only record 1.23.97 in the last race of the day.

“He’s always been a handful as he is still quite green and likes to pull hard during his races,” noted co-trainer Trent Busuttin who prepares the five-year-old gelding with partner Natalie Young.

“He has slowly learned to settle better but he still threw his head around yesterday and did it tough early in the run after missing the jump. He’s a pretty tough customer though and showed that as he went a quick time and held out some very promising types to get the win.”

Busuttin is in two minds about the immediate future for his charge as he waits to see what rating penalty he gets from the race.

“I think he’s the type that will handle a track like Trentham so we’re looking at either the Telegraph or the Thorndon Mile as a possibility for him,” he said.

“It will all depend on what rating points he gets as he could still miss out on both even if he gets five or six points this time.

“I’m not totally convinced he will get the mile as he still doesn’t want to settle so the Telegraph might be a better bet however it could be academic if we can’t get his rating up in time.

“There will be other options there like the Anniversary Handicap so we will just have to wait and see where we finish up.”

Busuttin is also excited about a move across the Tasman to the Cranbourne training centre next year which was formally announced during the week.

“It’s a superb opportunity for Natalie and I and one that we are very excited about,” he said.

“The timing will work out really well as the boxes won’t be available until around July so we will have the summer and autumn here and then when things are winding down we can get ready for the move.” – NZ Racing Desk