The Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington at the end of the months is firmly on the cards for the well-bred Albarado following his gutsy win in a thrilling Caulfield Classic 2020 result.
Trainer Trent Busuttin will chase a second VRC Derby success following that of Sangster (pictured) in 2011. Photo: Taron Clarke.
One of the early features on the Caulfield Cup Day card, this season’s Group 3 $250,000 Caulfield Classic (2000m) – run as the Neds Classic – saw Kiwi-bred Savabeel colt Albarado dig deep late in a messily run race to get up for Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young.
“It was certainly a good performance,” Busuttin told the media after the race.
“It was a good, gutsy win.”
Jockey Mark Zahra made it an early Cup Day double riding the progressive bay to victory retaining the ride after a lead-up third at Flemington in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m).
Zahra settled back in the field aboard the eventual winner who was four deep early and over-racing slightly before getting into stride.
Roughie hope Mr Roger led the Caulfield Classic field around ahead of the well-backed favourite Let’s Karaka Deel who, from the wide alley, slid forward to settle up on the speed.
In a muddling run race, Zahra crept into it aboard Albarado who improved from a second-last position to midfield as the pace slackened up with 800m left to travel.
The field shuffled up and Mr Roger was just in front turning for home.
Albarado came with a sweeping run at the 250m, really charging to the line and looking gone a few times on the straight as Let’s Karaka Deel and a few of the backmarkers fought hard.
In the end, Albarado ($4.80) was too tough in a very competitive affair and just won in a diving finish ahead of the beaten favourite Let’s Karaka Deel ($4.40) who ran second up the middle for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.
“He’s a fit horse, well-trained and he got the job done,” Zahra said post-win.
There was only a length separating the first four over the line with the Matt Cumani-trained Hit The Shot ($10) rounding out the trifecta in a fast-finishing third, while Redwood Shadow ($6.50) also caught the eye late coming from last to fourth.
The Caulfield Classic is a traditional lead-up into the Victoria Derby, the three-years-old staying feature held on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at HQ on Saturday October 31 this spring.
Polanski (2013) was the last horse to complete the Caulfield Classic – VRC Derby double that Albarado will now look to emulate.
The young stayer has the pedigree to win and looks like he will relish the 2500m of the Derby, a race co-trainer Busuttin won back in 2011 with Sangster who donned the same colours as the stable’s 2020 hope Albarado.
“Most of the owners in Sangster are in this horse,” Busuttin said.
“Hopefully this bloke can replicate that in a couple of weeks.
“It’s bene sort of spot on all the way through. It’s been the aim (to get him into the Derby) and hopefully he can get there in a couple of weeks.”
All-in 2020 Victoria Derby betting at Ladbrokes.com.au on this spring’s Caulfield Classic winner have has firmed in from $21 into $10.
Click here for the latest futures VRC Derby odds.
2020 Caulfield Classic Results
| Colour | Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1 | 2 | ALBARADO (NZ) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Mark Zahra | 8 | 57kg | $4.80 | ||
 |
2 | 10 | LET’S KARAKA DEEL (NZ) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen | 0.2L | 9 | 57kg | $4.40F | |
 |
3 | 9 | HIT THE SHOT | Matt Cumani | Fred W Kersley | 0.3L | 6 | 57kg | $10 | |
 |
4 | 8 | REDWOOD SHADOW (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jye McNeil | 0.4L | 11 | 57kg | $6.50 | |
 |
5 | 11 | TOUR OF DUTY | Michael Moroney | Michael Dee | 0.9L | 2 | 57kg | $17 | |
 |
6 | 5 | CETSHWAYO | Danny O’Brien | Jamie Kah | 2.9L | 4 | 57kg | $6 | |
 |
7 | 1 | CELESTIAL SOL |
Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 3.9L | 1 | 57kg | $14 | |
 |
8 | 12 | MR ROGER (NZ) | Richard Laming | Luke Currie | 4.65L | 3 | 57kg | $71 | |
 |
9 | 6 | TRODAIRE |
Lloyd Kennewell | Craig Newitt | 5.4L | 5 | 57kg | $31 | |
 |
10 | 3 | THE PRES |
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Hugh Bowman | 5.5L | 10 | 57kg | $8 | |
 |
11 | 7 | EL SANTO |
Dan O’Sullivan | Billy Egan | 15.5L | 7 | 57kg | $81 | |
 |
13 | TOKEN SPIRIT |
Robbie Griffiths | Damian Lane | 0 | |||||
 |
4 | JOHNNY GET ANGRY (NZ) | Denis Pagan | Lachlan King (a) | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
