A solid gallop at Cranbourne was all the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable needed to see from Rich Hips to send the mare to NSW.
Busuttin and Young picked out The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday with the lure of the $1 million in prize money a contributing factor.
Rich Hips returned to winning form last start, taking out the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Plate (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, the second time she has been successful in the race.
Busuttin said Rich Hips had worked nicely at Cranbourne on Tuesday morning and the early market on Saturday’s race, prior to Wednesday’s acceptances, suggested the mare was a leading chance.
“She’s equal third on betting,” Busuttin told RSN.
“Chris Waller’s filly Atishu is obviously good and is favourite and has strong Sydney form, so I’ve got no doubt this mare (Rich Hips) will have to at her absolute best to be winning the race.
“She’s won a Group race last start, she’s in form, it’s worth $1 million, so why not.”
Rich Hips raced in Sydney during the autumn but wasn’t seen at her best with Busuttin saying things did not go her way.
And after three early spring runs this campaign, Busuttin and Young were forced to back-off in the mare’s program.
“She had a little miss-step in the middle of the spring and missed a couple of races and the only race available was that race on Melbourne Cup Day which worked out well,” Busuttin said.
“She’s bounced out of that last start good and we’re happy to have a go.”
While owners will be allowed back on course at Victorian meetings from Saturday, Busuttin approached Sydney authorities about heading north this week to saddle Rich Hips.
But isolation restrictions remain in place making the time away too difficult, so Rich Hips will head to Bjorn Baker’s stable at Warwick Farm and he will be entrusted with saddling the mare on Saturday.
Former Melbourne jockey Regan Bayliss will take the ride.