Stable attacking another Group One

20 April 2016

The Group One attack is on again for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young this weekend and that might not be the end of it this season.

The Cambridge trainers will be represented in the Gr.1 Manco Easter Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday by Mabeel, who is a leading prospect after his impressive last start win in the Listed Fairdale – Goodwood Studs Flying Handicap (1400m) at Awapuni early this month.

This will be Busuttin and Young’s fourth Group One bid this month and if Mabeel succeeds he may get one more shot at the top grade before a spell.

“There’s a chance we could look at the Stradbroke in Brisbane,” said Busuttin. “But he’d have to win on Saturday to go for it. I’ve discussed it with Cherry Taylor, who manages the horse for the owner Deborah Ho.”

The Gr.1 A$1.5 million Stradbroke Handicap is at Eagle Farm on June 11 and whatever happens on Saturday Busuttin and Young have already received good news from the Mabeel camp.

“They’ve agreed to let us take him to Melbourne to be part of our team when we shift over there,” said Busuttin. “That’s a big kick for us. There will be a lot of options for a horse like him over there.

“If we don’t go to the Stradbroke with him he will spell then we could look at something like the Memsie Stakes in the spring for him. Either way, he’s got to win on Saturday and I think he can.

“His work has been good and I think he’ll be very hard to beat.

Mabeel has won half of his 12 starts with four wins this season. His biggest win came in the Gr. 3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) at Trentham last January when ridden by Sam Spratt, who was also in the saddle in his last win and will again be aboard on Saturday.

Busuttin and Young have never been afraid to take on the best in Australia. They showed that with Savabeel gelding Sangster, whose four Group One wins included the Victoria Derby.

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