Last-out G1 Australian Derby winner Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is set to return in the first Group 1 of the spring season, the 1400-metre Memsie S., at Caulfield Aug. 27, according to Racing and Sports. The 4-year-old colt will partake in a 1000-metre jumpout at Cranbourne on Monday for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, who are in the process of setting up their Victorian stables.
Busuttin explained that Tavago will then take in the 1600-metre G1 Makybe Diva S. Sept. 10 and the 2000-metre G1 Turnbull S. Oct. 2 on his way to the G1 Caulfield Cup Oct. 15.
“He's a stayer, but as long as he's hitting the line in the first couple we'll be happy, and then if he's going to be a legitimate chance in the Caulfield Cup he's got to be competitive in the Turnbull,” Busuttin told Racing and Sports. “I think he'll get in well at the weights in the Turnbull unless he wins one before, which I think would be doubtful.”
Tavago won the Australian Derby on his domestic debut over a wet track in April, but Busuttin said he doesn't necessarily think his charge is a soft-track specialist.
“The query from everyone is, [is] he just a wet tracker that got the right day,” Busuttin added. “That's a logical question, but we're fairly confident he will step up. He's come up brilliantly and we haven't squeezed him yet, but we will do soon.”
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