A key trial run at Gold Coast on Tuesday morning and forecast inclement weather are providing added challenges for Magic Millions Classic prospect Cusack.
Cranbourne-based co-trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are eagerly awaiting what the weather overnight on the Gold Coast will bring as their two-year-old colt Cusack is ready to line up in a trial there after the stable decided to bypass a final lead-up run at Doomben last Saturday.
“The track probably wouldn’t have suited on Saturday anyway – it was very wet,” Young said.
“He is supposed to trial tomorrow and I don’t know if they’re going to hold it with the rain they’re expecting but they may change it to the inside grass and if they do then we’ll trial him.
Cusack is rated a $34 chance with TAB for the $2 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic over 1200 metres on 15 January but should Cusack miss tomorrow’s trial, a start in the $125,000 Aussie Nugget (1100m) at the same venue is likely.
“We have nominated him for Saturday and may go into that race and then the Magic Millions,” Young adds.
Cusack is ranked second on the order of entry for the 2yo Classic after winning the Magic Millions Classic (1000m) version at Ballarat on 20 November and has maintained that progression since.
“He’s eaten up and done really well up there and hasn’t missed a beat,” she said.
The Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace-trained Coolangatta has continued to firm in betting and is into $1.70 after winning the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Doomben (1200m) on Boxing Day, but this stable isn’t willing to concede so easily.
“Obviously Coolangatta is going to be hard to beat but you’ve got to be in it to win it,” Young said.
“I’m really chasing that ‘ladies bonus’ so it is worth being in it if you can pick up another $325,000.
“The ladies are all excited. You’re putting your butt on the line buying horses so it’s nice to have one in that race.”
