Darryl Sherer
Trent Busuttin can't separate talented staying three-year-old's Sully and Main Stage ahead of their first-up runs in the Gr.3 C.S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
The pair finished second and fifth respectively in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) last campaign and in preparation for the autumn have done all their work together, most recently impressing in a Cranbourne trial last Monday, indicating they have returned in great order.
Busuttin and co-trainer Natalie Young may be tempted to take aim at the ATC Derby with the pair via different races but the stablemates are set to kick off together on Saturday.
"I really can't split them, they've done all their work together all the way through and they've trialled up together and we can't separate them in the trials so hopefully they draw well," said Busuttin.
"Sully might be a touch sharper over 1400m, he's won over 1400m and a mile before.
"They are there to win if they are good enough, it's a Group Three and they are hard to get.
"There are probably sharper horses at 1400m in the race but at Flemington as long as they are hitting the line hard we'll be happy going forward … in reality they aren't wound up, they've got targets later on."
All being well on Saturday, Busuttin indicated the stable have a few options as to the pair's next run as they work toward the ATC Derby.
"Either the Randwick or Australian Guineas [could be the next races], and again they'll probably run into horses that are a touch sharper over a mile, but it fits in perfectly with races then like the Rosehill Guineas or the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley going forward." -racing.com