Racing: Padraig's team hope Warwick Farm will lead to richer pickings

Brisbane could be the next assignment for Padraig. Photo / Kenton Wright, Race Images

The connections of Padraig are hoping today's Warwick Farm meeting will prove a successful stepping stone to richer pickings in Brisbane.

The son of Power created a big impression in New Zealand from the Cambridge stable of Brendon Hawtin when producing a huge effort to win at Trentham before finishing sixth in the Karaka Million.

He is now trained in Victoria by former Cambridge trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and will make his Australian debut over 1400m at Warwick Farm and will be ridden by Ben Melham.

"We were going to run him last week on the Sunshine Coast but cancelled those plans because of the wet weather," Busuttin said. "The prospect of a better track in Sydney suits and it's on the way up to Brisbane.

"If he wins, he will go to Brisbane for the Sires' Produce and the JJ Atkins."

The group two Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) is at Eagle Farm on May 27 and the group one JJ Atkins (1600m) is a fortnight later on the same track.

"He's got 59kg and has drawn 12 at Warwick Farm," Busuttin said. "It makes it hard but he'll have to shape up to go to Brisbane."

Padraig was given a month's spell after the Karaka Million before being sent to the Busuttin-Young stable.

"He's had a jump-out and a trial since he has been here and he's done well," Busuttin said.

Padraig is raced by New Zealanders Tommy Heptinstall, David Platt, Max Brown and David Wilson. Heptinstall and Platt also share in the ownership of Curragh, who will start for Busuttin and Young at Flemington on Saturday, and Heptinstall also has a share in stablemate Salsamor, another Flemington starter.

Curragh, a son of Tavistock, won fresh-up at Ballarat in March and followed up with a second and a fourth at Caulfield.

"He was very unlucky last start and the 1800m at Flemington on Saturday should suit him," Busuttin said.

Salsamor, another son of Tavistock, won on debut at Pakenham last Sunday week and will start on Saturday in a 1400m 2-year-old event.

Busuttin and Young will also have a runner at Doomben on Saturday for Kiwi connections. Shenandoah, a Darci Brahma filly owned by the Hawkins family of Wentwood Grange in Cambridge, has been entered for the group two The Roses (2020m).

"We're chasing black print with her and she deserves a crack," Busuttin said. "Blake Shinn will ride her on Saturday and if she goes well she'll press on for the Queensland Oaks."
Shenandoah has recorded a win and three placings from eight starts.

The win was over 1400m in March at Cranbourne and she has stepped up in distance since then, with her last effort being a third over 2000m at Flemington.

- NZ Racing Desk