Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to claim victory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast.
They have had their two-year-old Cusack on the Gold Coast for almost a fortnight preparing for the $2 million race on January 15.
Cusack will get his first chance at racing right-handed when he lines up in the Trapeze Artist – 1st Yearlings Selling 2022 2YO Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
The son of Not A Single Doubt is assured of a start in the Magic Millions two weeks later having won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1000m) at Ballarat on November 20.
Young said Cusack was sent to the Gold Coast to get experience working and racing on the correct leg and the colt won a trial at the Gold Coast on December 20.
“He was a little lost on the corner, but he ended up balancing up and winning the trial nicely in quite a quick time for the day,” Young said.
“He’ll run on Saturday. Hopefully he’ll run well and then we’ll head into the Magic Millions.”
Young concedes the form from the Ballarat race has not been strong with runner-up Cover Star going to Caulfield on Sunday, finishing ninth to Jacquinot in the Frank O’Brien Handicap (1200m).
However, connections are also chasing a bonus, as Cusack is owned by an all-female syndicate which has a $500,000 bonus attached to the first four all female-owned horses across the line.
“The form out the of his win has been a little average, but we’re chasing the ‘Lady’s bonus’ as well and there’s only about four that are chasing that bonus,” Young said.
“It’s a good incentive to keep him up there. We’ll get Saturday out of the way first and his trackwork has been absolutely superb.
“I don’t think we’ve had a two-year-old travel any better.”
Young said Craig Newitt would travel to Brisbane on Saturday having ridden him success at Ballarat.