Animator wins at Trentham
Photo- Race Images Palmerston North
Despite displaying all the traits of a contender for higher staying honours in the near future, Saturday's impressive Trentham winner Animator may still be six months away from a tilt at a major three-year-old prize according to trainer Trent Busuttin.
Busuttin, who prepares the handsome son of Encosta De Lago with partner Natalie Young from their Cambridge base, believes the gelding has the makings of a top horse over more ground once he fills out his imposing frame.
"He has still got a lot of development left in him so whatever he has done to date has been on ability alone," he said.
"He is still quite weak and has a lot to learn about the game but he does look like a horse that can compete at a higher level once he matures
"There aren't many three-year-olds that can carry 59.5 kilograms against the older horses like he did on Saturday so it shows he has the potential to go further."
While the gelding does hold a nomination for the Gr. 1 BMW New Zealand Derby in March Busuttin believes the race may arrive too soon for his charge.
"We threw in a Derby nomination like we do for most of our three-year-olds but I don't know if he is ready for that sort of test just yet," he said.
"I have no doubt he is going to be a Derby contender but it might well be the South Australian or Queensland Derby as opposed to our local one.
"He will line-up again at Awapuni in a couple of weeks time over 2000 metres and if he won well there then we might press on to Ellerslie but we won't make that decision until we see what happens in a fortnight." – NZ Racing Desk
Busuttin, who prepares the handsome son of Encosta De Lago with partner Natalie Young from their Cambridge base, believes the gelding has the makings of a top horse over more ground once he fills out his imposing frame.
"He has still got a lot of development left in him so whatever he has done to date has been on ability alone," he said.
"He is still quite weak and has a lot to learn about the game but he does look like a horse that can compete at a higher level once he matures
"There aren't many three-year-olds that can carry 59.5 kilograms against the older horses like he did on Saturday so it shows he has the potential to go further."
While the gelding does hold a nomination for the Gr. 1 BMW New Zealand Derby in March Busuttin believes the race may arrive too soon for his charge.
"We threw in a Derby nomination like we do for most of our three-year-olds but I don't know if he is ready for that sort of test just yet," he said.
"I have no doubt he is going to be a Derby contender but it might well be the South Australian or Queensland Derby as opposed to our local one.
"He will line-up again at Awapuni in a couple of weeks time over 2000 metres and if he won well there then we might press on to Ellerslie but we won't make that decision until we see what happens in a fortnight." – NZ Racing Desk