The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable has continued its recent success in qualifying races for Classic aspirants with Ko Phangan’s victory at Flemington.

Ko Phangan’s triumph in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) grants the colt automatic entry into either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival.

This win represents the stable’s third success in the last four renewals of Saturday’s race, following the precedent set by Arcora’s win last year.

While Arcora subsequently finished second to Observer in the Derby last year, Young indicated that the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October is the more likely spring target for Ko Phangan.

Ko Phangan, sent out as the $2.05 favourite with Craig Williams aboard, secured a commanding 2½-length win from Notified ($3), with Achy Breaky Heart ($8) a further three-quarters of a length behind in third.

“He jumped really clean and I was thinking ‘please don’t lead, please don’t lead’,” Young commented.

“At his last couple of starts I was wanting him to take a sit and really chase, and today he was able to take a sit, and he was too good for them.

“It is a nice form race this and they usually carry on. Arcora last year went on to win a Derby Prelude and run second in the Derby.

“We know this horse gets the distance, so maybe the Caulfield Guineas in the spring, but he’ll probably have a couple of weeks let-up now and then pick a path to the Guineas.”

Young shared that she first noticed Ko Phangan at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and was taken with the colt, believing he possessed the qualities for a Caulfield Guineas campaign as a three-year-old.

“We looked after him and didn’t send him up to Magics after running second in the lead-up behind Unit Five that won the Magic Millions and I’m hoping that pays off this spring,” Young said.

“He’s an Ole Kirk colt, a lovely looking rooster and hopefully he can go on with it.

“He’s got the Green Desert and Poet’s Voice blood and may get 2000 (metres) in time but he has a good turn of foot as he has shown in his last two starts, but he’s just got to the front too soon and he’s floated.

“He can keep his family jewels intact and we can hopefully have a good spring this year.”

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