Victoria Derby award-winning trainer Trent Busuttin says critics of the race are barking the wrong tree and there is an obvious reason why Derby horses these days are struggling to survive on the big stage in their future careers.
It is like clockwork that the annual debate flares up about whether the 2,500m derby is too strenuous for three-year-olds in spring.
Melbourne Cup coach Danny O’Brien, who stars Young Werther in the derby, has suggested that the derby could run at 2,000m and he is supported by other industry figures.
But Busuttin, who won his first Group 1 in 2011 with Sangster in the Victoria Derby and has Albarado (7.50 USD) and Wertheimer (31 USD) in the Derby on Saturday, will not hear about it.
“They say the derby ruins horses, but that’s just crap,” Busuttin, who trains with Natalie Young, told Racenet.
“Tie The Knot, Octagonal and Nothin ‘Leica Dane all competed in the derby.
Albarado, one of the competitors of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Victoria Derby, wins the Caulfield Classic. Image: Getty Images
“My horse Sangster won Group 1 at the age of five.
“You can just keep naming them.
“I can tell you the reality of why many Victoria Derby horses are no longer competitive in the big races.
“It’s pretty easy because they’re not good enough to play against the Europeans who are bought for a fortune every year.
“Look at what came first and second in the Cox record (Sir Dragonet and Armory) and what horse came second in the Caulfield Cup (Anthony Van Dyck).
“This kind of horse didn’t exist about 10 years ago when horses came out of the derby. The Derby horses then met the AJC Derby winner, the AJC Oaks winner.
“But none of the three-year-olds are competitive when it comes to big races these days because they’re not good enough to beat the expensive purchases in the Cup.”
Busuttin says he doesn’t understand why the Derby distance was chosen for regular criticism, but one hears little criticism of the PRC Oaks, which are run the same distance in Melbourne Cup week.
“Why don’t these critics go further than the oaks?” Asked Busuttin.
“It’s five days later, but you never hear of the Oaks, who are a weaker sex.”
Sangster after winning the Victoria Derby 2011.
The former Kiwi also insisted that there was an obvious option for critics of derby distance – just don’t run your horses in the $ 2 million race.
One of Busuttin’s prominent owners, Mark Pilkington, decides not to target his horses at the derby.
The trainer says that this is the right of every owner – but there are many owners and trainers who want their horses to run in the derby.
“Nobody puts a gun to anyone’s head to wield these horses,” said Busuttin.
Busuttin believes he is in the derby with a chance to fight with his two gallops, who will be wearing the Sangster colors, as both have owners who were in the 2011 Derby winner.
However, he believes Patrick Payne’s Cherry Tortoni is clearly the one to beat.
“That Cherry Tortoni, Paddy Payne, knows a good horse and if he says he’s a good horse, he’s a good horse,” said Busuttin.
“He’s the one to beat, he’s done two 2000m runs and he’s absolutely fit to run 2500m, just like our horses.”
Assistant trainers Natalie Young and Trent Busuttin. Image: AAP.
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