By Bren O'Brien
Nine years on from taking a promising 3-year-old from New Zealand to a breakthrough Group 1 victory in the Victoria Derby, Trent Busuttin and his training partner Natalie Young look to have another exciting spring staying prospect in the same colours, with the Cranbourne winner Wertheimer (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Early in 2011, the year Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) would provide Busuttin with what was then his greatest success at Flemington for owner Tom Heptinstall, he purchased a Lonhro filly called Wild About Me (NZ) at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale at Karaka for NZ$54,000.
The daughter of stakes-placed mare Like Me Wild (NZ) (Cape Cross {Ire}) only won one of her 13 starts, but she looks to have made more of an impact as a broodmare for Heptinstall, with her first foal to the track, Wertheimer, impressive in the lime green, navy and red silks on his Australian debut over 1300 metres.
The homebred son of Tavistock started his career with a sixth for trainer Andrew Campbell at Trentham back in January but has clearly relished his time in the paddock and his transfer to Busuttin and Young's Cranbourne stables.
He was given a cold ride by Damien Oliver in the 1300 maiden, but the experienced jockey picked his way between runners to be just behind the leaders on straightening, and after switching back to the inside, he quickened impressively to win by 0.75l over Run Walrus Run (Warhorse {NZ}), with the well-supported Emerald Crown (Needs Further) in third.
Young said the training partnership are often looking for staying prospects at this time of year and this gelding looks to be one that can make strong progress.
"He's come over from Andrew Campbell and he's only been here a few weeks and he's adapted really well. He worked really well with Savvy Lad, so we thought he'd go alright today. He doesn't seem to have put a foot wrong since he arrived in the barn," she said.
"He worked really well with Savvy Lad, so we thought he'd go alright today." - Natalie Young
"We'll try to bring him through, to Sandown in a couple of weeks in a BM64 and see if he can make that grade. We have always got the Derby in the back of our minds, especially, with Tommy Heptinstall and those colours.
"He's out of a Lonhro mare we used to have in the stables back in New Zealand a few years ago, so we will definitely take that path with him."
As a measure of the opinion the stable hold him in, Wertheimer was among nominations for the G1 Caulfield Guineas when they were taken on Tuesday.
Double for stable
Busuttin and Young completed a race-to-race double when 6-year-old Mr Tipla (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) bounced back to form to win his sixth race from 19 starts in a BM70 H. over 1400 metres.
A winner at Sandown two starts back, Mr Tipla was below-par at Caulfield last time out, but with Tayla Childs in the saddle, he held off Red Light Roxanne (Reward For Effort) and The Great Hans (Magnus) to win on Wednesday.
"She's a really lovely, sweet girl, Tayla. She's ridden a few jump-outs for us and I really like supporting some of these young apprentices coming through. I always say 'if you come in and do a bit of work, I’ll reward you down the line'," Young said.
"She rode him nice too, she gave him a bit of a breather coming into the corner and I think that really helped him finish it off. The 4kg claimer helps on the wet track."
A NZ$9000 buy from the NZB Ready to Run Sale of 2YOS, Mr Tipla has now won over $135,000. He is out of Sangiovese (NZ) (Chianti {Ire}), a half-sister to Listed Mornington Cup winner Dancing Sculptor (Rancho Ruler).
