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A journey into the unknown is how Trent Busuttin likens the upcoming campaign of the former Australian mare Gig.

The Cambridge trainer has taken charge of the stakes performer with the Gr.1 J & N Berkett Telegraph Handicap at Trentham on January 15 a possible target.

“She’s going to run in the Newmarket at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and it will all depend on what she does there,” said Busuttin, who prepares the six-year-old with partner Natalie Young.

“She probably wouldn’t back up in the Railway and more likely to go to the Telegraph. In the short time I’ve had her I don’t think she’s an ideal back-up horse.

“It’s all a bit unknown with her really, but we’ve been happy with her work.”

The winner of four races, Gig has been placed in the Gr.2 Lawrence Stakes and at Group Three level in the Bletchingly and Lee Stakes and the Victoria Handicap.

She was also sixth in both the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes and the Gr.1 Sangster Classic and during her last preparation in the spring she finished less than a length off Commanding Jewel in the Gr.2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington.

“You would think she would have to be pretty competitive here on that sort of form,” Busuttin said.

The former Darley-owned Gig began her career with Peter Snowden before she was put through an Inglis Sale and continued her career with Cranbourne trainer Shawn Mathrick.

”Mark Pilkington from Australia has got a couple of horses in our stable and through that relationship we got this mare,” Busuttin said.

“The aim with her is to get a bit more black type before she’s retired.”