Young talent shining for Cambridge trainers

24 November 2015

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are starting to reap the rewards from a period of stable redevelopment.

The Cambridge trainers are successfully guiding a number of promising young prospects through the system with eyes on a number of upcoming age group features.

“We’ve had to rebuild over the last 18 months after a lot of our horses were sold and we’ve got a nice team around us now,” Busuttin said.

Among them is the three-year-old Natural Achiever, who was a runaway winner on debut at Te Rapa on Sunday.

“I don’t think he beat a lot with all due respect, but he did it with a bit of style and he’d only had one trial over 800 metres,” Busuttin said.

“He’s always showed plenty of ability. Opie (Bosson) said he relaxed well after doing a bit early to get across from an awkward draw.”

Natural Achiever will be aimed toward the NZB Karaka Million 3YO event at Ellerslie on January 24 with stablemates Curragh and Tavago also eligible for the event.

“They are all paid up and I hope the 2000 Guineas winner (Xtravagant) goes for the Levin Classic the week before – we’d be keen to dodge him,” Busuttin said.

Meanwhile, the stable’s Listed Karaka Million candidate Caorunn will make his next appearance at Trentham on Saturday week.

“He had a break after Otaki and he’ll go down to Wellington for the Wakefield Challenge Stakes,” Busuttin said.

Runner-up on debut to the subsequent Listed Wellesley Stakes winner Tennessee at Ruakaka, Caorunn is currently seventh in order of entry to the Karaka Million after his last-start success at Otaki. – NZ Racing Desk.

Wolfy reacts well to change

A tactical change by trainer Nicky Ryan saw Tivaci’s son, Wolfy, triumph at Flemington on Saturday. Dropping back to 1200 metres with blinkers applied, the Waikato Stud-bred four-year-old stormed to victory under Ethan Brown, showcasing a powerful finish to secure his third career win.

18 January 2025

Frustrating runs ends in style

Slipper Island returned to winning ways at Trentham with a powerful finish over 1200 metres, ending a 17-month drought despite consistent form with seven placings. Trainer Tony Pike praised the stable favourite, describing him as “frustrating but talented.” A son of No Nay Never, he was purchased for $180,000 at Karaka.