New Zealand galloper Cauthen has already beaten two Group One winners in his career but Trent Busuttin isn’t expecting him to add the world’s top-ranked sprinter to his scalps.

Cauthen makes his debut for Busuttin in Saturday’s McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley where his opposition includes star sprinter Lankan Rupee, the $1.25 favourite.

Busuttin is excited to have Cauthen, formerly trained by Andrew Campbell, in his team but had wanted to start the four-year-old’s campaign in a support race.

Cauthen wasn’t going to make the final field so the entire, described by Busuttin as a big impressive horse, instead kicks off in a tougher Group Two race which was lighter on numbers.

“Whatever he does he’s going to improve on, but we’ll be hoping for a good run,” Busuttin said.

“Obviously all things being equal, Lankan Rupee is just going to win. You’re kidding yourself if you think he’s not.

“But if he can run a good race, we’ll be happy.”

Cauthen’s Melbourne spring campaign last year was aborted after an unplaced run in a Listed Flemington race.

Before that he beat subsequent Cox Plate winner Shamus Award and Caulfield Guineas winner Long John in the Mitchell McKenzie Stakes.

The son of Darci Brahma came out of his first-up second in New Zealand in January with a stress fracture.

Busuttin is looking to give the son of Darci Brahma his chance in the Group One Rupert Clarke Stakes third-up.

He holds a nomination in the Cox Plate.

“He can gallop. No question,” Busuttin said.

“And I’m sure there’s a nice race in him somewhere.

“We’re learning about him but we’ll certainly find out more on Saturday.”

Aside from triple Group One winner Lankan Rupee, three-year-old filly Eloping is the only other runner under double figure odds at $8.50.