Cusack has earned himself a trip to Queensland for next year’s Magic Millions Carnival with a debut victory at Ballarat.
The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young – trained son of Not A Single Doubt took out the $250,000 Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m) on Saturday to book his place in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast in January.
Ridden by Craig Newitt, Cusack ($10) scored by a nose from Cover Star ($13) with Epic Centre ($21) a length away third.
Cusack is part-owned by a syndicate of all female owners and will be eligible for a share in a $500,000 bonus when he runs at the Gold Coast.
The bonus will be distributed to the first four all female-owned horses across the line.
“A bunch of ladies have got together and bought the horse,” Busuttin said.
“They’ll be chasing that Ladies Bonus up on the Gold Coast, which is certainly going to be a lot harder, but he’s basically got his ticket in the race so all being well we’ll go up there.
“It’s good to get new owners involved and I’m rapt for them, so he’ll have a little break now, get him racing around that way and get him up there.”
Cusack was a $200,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January.
After misbehaving in the mounting yard before the race, Cusack was on his best behaviour once out on the track and on his way to the start.
“He’s really quiet at home and I was a bit surprised,” Newitt said.
“I said to the guys that if you didn’t know him, you’d be worried about getting on him. He tried to cow-kick me, but once he set foot on the track, he was a kid’s pony.
“He’s the ultimate professional and he’s got the ability to go with it.”