VRC Members Race Day Review

Busuttin and Young to the fore again

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continued their domination of a qualifying race for Classic contenders with the victory Ko Phangan.

Success in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) gives the winner a ballot exemption into either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Ko Phangan’s victory was the third win in the past four years in the Byerley for Busuttin and Young and comes on top of Arcora scoring for the team last year.

Arcora went on to run second to Observer in last year’s Derby, although Young said the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) was a more likely spring target for Ko Phangan. “It is a nice form race this and they usually carry on,” Young said. “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. “He’s an Ole Kirk colt, a lovely looking rooster and hopefully he can go on with it.”

Spring looms for impressive debut winner

Trainer Grahame Begg will return home from a break in Japan content with the news Riverina Lulu raced up to the expectations he had of the filly.

Success in the TAB We’re On (1000m) was not unexpected with the filly under the guidance of Harry Coffey recording a 1-½ length win. Begg stable spokesman Rowan Hughes said the trainer deserves kudos for deciding on Saturday’s race in preference to a race at Sandown on Wednesday.

“He identified her very early and he had the option to go to Sandown on Wednesday,” Hughes said. “But in the end, he was adamant he wanted to come here even though he was taking on race experienced horses that had won.” Hughes, who has had a long association with the Begg stable, said ‘the boss’ was likely to let the dust settle on Saturday’s win and plot a path to the spring.

The Coolmore Stud Stakes on Victoria Derby Day could potentially be the ultimate goal. “Timing wise we’re pretty close to the spring, but there might be a nice race in the spring here if that’s the way he wants to go,” Hughes said. “She’s from a very fast colonial family and when you look at her, she’s just a barrel on wheels.

“She’s a speed horse and winning over 1000 metres is one thing, but whether she gets 1200 metres is another thing. “I’m sure Grahame will just let the dust settle and plot a path.”

Bold Soul lands prize in Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849

Bold Soul had to survive a protest before being awarded in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m).

Harry Coffey, rider of the third-placed Tempesti, fired in a protest against the winner alleging interference close to the finish, but after a short deliberation Racing Victoria stewards dismissed the objection.

The 2800m contest developed into a slogging contest with just a neck separating the first five horses across the line.

Bold Soul is likely to be heading for a career change after registering his eighth victory from 33 starts and more than $800,000 in prize money.

Neal Greaves, representing trainer Patrick Payne said Bold Soul was likely to have his next start over jumps. “I think the plan is, you might see a pretty nice jumper at Ballarat on August 16,” Greaves said. “I think the intention is he will have a jumps run this season.”

Cartwright lands prize in Rising Stars Final

Luke Cartwright was the most experienced apprentice in the RMBL Investments Rising Stars Final (1600m), and he gave his rivals a riding lesson.

Riding the Lucy Yeomans-trained Changing Colours, Cartwright guided the mare to a comfortable two-length victory. A former winner of the Rising Stars Series, Cartwright had to be content with second place this year behind runaway winner Emily Pozman. Cartwright was not complaining, collecting the final.

“It’s a great series and it gives us great confidence,” Cartwright said. “We’re all apprentices, we’re all together and we get to go and showcase our ability and ride for the better trainers that some wouldn’t usually ride for.

“It’s a great series. I have won it before, but I didn’t get too close this year, but I won the final.” Cartwright paid tribute to the preparation of Changing Colours who provided part-owner Brae Sokolski with a welcome birthday present.

“She (Yeomans) had an option to run two weeks after her first-up run, but she said I’m going to wait as she had this race mapped out,” Cartwright said. “The owner wanted her to come here as it is a special day.

“She’s a really nice horse and she should go on to bigger and better things. “I knew the ability I had underneath me. I let her go through her gears, waited an extra 100 metres than I usually would, and when I went for her, she accelerated.”

Finger injury can’t stop Johnstone

A finger injury that stopped apprentice Jabez Johnstone from taking the ride on champion jumper Stern Idol in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) was not enough to preclude him from winning on Kaleo in the VRC Member Erica McKissock Trophy (1700m).

Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said Johnstone suffered a laceration to a finger a couple of days ago. While the injury was not severe, it was felt more damage could be done riding Stern Idol.

“Due to how Stern Idol races, he’s quite strong, we were just conscious of Jabez and not wanting to cause any more damage,” Turnbull said. “It was a group discussion and Teo (Nugent) took the ride.”

Kaleo turned his form around having finished last in the Silver Bowl Series Final at Flemington at his previous start on July 4. Turnbull said the stable had retained faith in Kaleo despite his form.

“We had faith in the horse that he was still holding form, and his splits and data would say that back at home,” Turnbull said. “He is very deep into the prep and has done very little work in between.

“There was good pressure today which helped him and with that claim of Jabez, who is seeing them very well, he was able to attack the line.”

Saint George provides a family win – of sorts

The Ciaron Maher stable collected a winning treble with the victory of Saint George in the VRC member Richard John Rowlands Plate (2000m).

Success earlier came with Kaleo (see above) and Piastri in the VRC Member Brendan Sobczynski Plate (1200m). While a treble at a city meeting is a regular feat for the Maher stable, Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said the victory of Saint George was extra special in his eyes.

Saint George was ridden to victory by his future sister-in-law Emily Pozman, who is apprenticed to Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman at Pakenham.

“It gave me a great thrill that to see Emily ride him so well,” Turnbull said. “I’m marrying Tiarn, her sister, in December which is a great thrill and very exciting.

“I’ve seen the growth of Emily. She’s stuck at it, she’s got her weight better and she’s upskilling all the time. “She’s a hard worker and it goes a long way and if she continues that way, she will ride a lot more winners and when she becomes a senior, I’m sure she will get a lot more support.”

Saint George was Pozman’s third winner for the Maher stable and her first for the team at Flemington and comes on top of her being awarded the RMBL Investments Rising Star for the 2025-26 season.

“I said to her relax, let the race develop. He’s a good horse, and she rode him perfectly,” Turnbull said.