Concerns over track conditions were at the forefront for the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable on Saturday morning.
A significant downpour could have seen Blind Raise withdrawn from the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m), with a potential alternative being the Listed Michael Moroney (1400m) at Flemington the following week.
However, despite 7.2mm of rain falling at Sandown in the early hours, the track was rated a Soft 7, allowing the gelding to take his place in the field.
Sent out as the $3 favourite under Blake Shinn, Blind Raise ran out a 1-¾ length winner from Wolf Gap ($5), with Shooting Brake ($16) a further three-quarters-of-a-length behind in third.
“We don’t live far from here and it was pouring down and then at Cranbourne, at the track (this morning), it never misses it,” Busuttin commented.
“It was touch and go and I sent out a late voice message (to the ownership group) saying we would probably scratch.”
Busuttin noted that while Blind Raise performed well on the soft ground, he had been concerned by the gelding’s level of sweating prior to the race.
“That’s not him, he’s been bombproof all the way through,” Busuttin stated.
“It was genuinely a concern and even in the running, in the first furlong, he was trucking a bit, but he had had only the one trial since Brisbane, so that will bring him on.
“It was pretty comfortable (in the end) and the second horse was pretty good.
“The watch was pretty good so we’re pretty happy.”
The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10 is now a potential target for Blind Raise, and Busuttin indicated that the stable would consider the best route to achieve this goal.
The Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 19 and the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield eight days later are the primary options being considered.
“It’s either the Prelude or the Stutt Stakes and just with him being a bit fresh and keen, I think a two-week turnaround to the Prelude will do him the world of good,” Busuttin advised.
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