3 minute read
Two younger members of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s Cambridge stable will be given their opportunities in Australia to graduate to the elite level.
Three-year-olds Atmosphere and Johnhro accompanied the stable star El Roca on a weekend flight to Melbourne where they will have their chances through more modest early tasks to progress to top age group company.
Johnhro finished second on debut at Ruakaka in the autumn and was a winner at last week’s Te Teko trials.
“He’s got stacks of ability and we’re testing the waters with him,” Busuttin said. “He’ll kick off in a provincial race over there and see where he ends up.”
“He holds a nomination for the Caulfield Guineas and we’re under no illusions how tough it is in Australia and there’s the 2000 Guineas at Christchurch as well. These days it’s easy to put them on a plane to get back home.”
By Lonhro, Johnhro is raced by Karaka-based businessman Greg Ingham, whose father Jack co-founded Woodlands Stud and an extensive Australian racing operation.
“Atmosphere is in the same boat as Johnhro and he’s from a real staying family so he’ll get over ground – he’s got a nomination for the VRC Derby,” Busuttin said.
An unraced son of Savabeel, Atmosphere has had two trial outings for a win at Te Awamutu in May and a third at the recent Te Teko meeting.
Also joining the team in Melbourne will be High Chaparral’s son High Tec, a winner in New Zealand and at Wyong last preparation. He subsequently disappointed in two runs at Rosehill and was spelled in Australia.
“John Sargent has been kind enough to have had him in pre-training for us and the horse linked up with the others at the weekend,” Busuttin said.
“He’s been gelded since he last raced and all reports on him this time in have been great. Nash Rawiller and Hugh Bowman have been on him on raceday or in gallops and they both really like him.”