Racing: Busuttin delighted with Guineas draw

Trent Busuttin. Photo / Supplied

A gun barrier draw has raised trainer Trent Busuttin's expectations for Victoria Derby winner Sangster in Saturday's Rosehill Guineas.

Sangster, who will wear blinkers in the race, came up with gate seven, while two of the major fancies, favourite Silent Achiever and Randwick Guineas runner-up Said Com, drew out in 17 and 20 respectively.

"That 2000m start at Rosehill, it's not a great place to draw wide and any trainer that tells you barrier draws don't matter, it's their horse that has drawn wide," Busuttin said.

"You can't beat barrier draws, especially at this level when there's not much between the field.

"I was desperate to get a good draw with our horse and have him tucked up sixth, seventh or eighth and racing with cover and chasing something.

"I was more upbeat after the barrier draw than before it."

Sangster arrived in Sydney last week after showing a return to form with his fighting third behind Guineas rivals Highly Recommended and Ethiopia in the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley.

It followed two indifferent performances, including a second last to Mosheen in the Australian Guineas.

Busuttin said Sangster struggled to compete at the top level over shorter trips but was buoyed by his last run over 2040m.

The gelding worked strongly with a partner at Randwick on Tuesday morning under Busuttin's watchful eye and he says he will strip much fitter for his Alister Clark effort.

"Danny Nikolic felt he really blew out around the corner at Moonee Valley and had had enough by then, so he stuck on well."

The Victoria Derby winner is one of four New Zealand-trained runners in the Guineas field along with Silent Achiever (drawn 17), Ocean Park (11) and Rock 'n' Pop (10).

Busuttin believes Sangster's best winning chance this autumn will be in the Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick two weeks from Saturday but he still expects the gelding to make his presence felt at Rosehill.

"I don't think he can win it but I want him running in the first five and I think up to the mile and a half, he will be spot-on in the Derby," he said.

Sangster is a $26 Derby chance with TAB Sportsbet and a $21 chance in the Guineas.

Busuttin hasn't ruled out taking on the older horses at weight-for-age in the The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill in between.

"Realistically, I think the Derby over a mile and a half is our best chance of winning.

"He's in the BMW. If he raced really well on Saturday and it was a bog track for the BMW - he loves the mud and 3-year-olds have a great record in the race - it wouldn't be out of the question him backing up."

- AAP