KEY POINTS:
As far as Mercedes Derby tune-up races go, they do not get more pivotal than the two Paddy and Trent Busuttin tackle at Te Rapa today.
In one corner the father-and-son training team has their lean, green, staying machine Six O'Clock News, who they need to see powering home in the R80 1600m event.
In the other, their late-emerging blue-riband hope Demhills, who the Cambridge duo expect to make a winning middle-distance debut in the Ancroft Stud 2000.
"I'd say he's our best bet on the day," confirmed Trent Busuttin, who saddles four runners - all 3-year-olds with classic nominations.
"The way he's worked and improved since winning at Tauranga, we'd probably expect him to win again, and if he's going towards the Derby he probably should."
Demhills looked anything but the forlorn $51 Derby chance TAB bookies still rated him yesterday when bursting clear for his last-start win in R70 grade over 1600 at Tauranga on January 10.
That was his first success since scoring on debut at Te Rapa in April last year.
But the Busuttins have been plagued by minor setbacks with the smart son of Golan ever since.
"He's had his fair share of niggling problems; nothing serious but he just hasn't been right," said Trent Busuttin.
"We finally got him right for Tauranga and being by Golan you'd expect him to get over more ground, especially the way he's come up this season."
Busuttin is not as confident of a win today with Six O'Clock News, who drops back to 1600m after his brave last-start third in the Great Northern Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
But Busuttin concedes his raw ability could still get him there, especially when you factor in James McDonald's 2kg claim.
His only two career wins - in November last year - were on this course over the same trip.
"He has a touch of class, so anything's possible, but as long as he's running on at the finish, we'll be happy," Busuttin said.
"He's not tuned up to win. He's coming back in distance and a mile's not really his go now; he's looking for more ground."
Cambridge bloodstock agent Stuart Hale copped his share of flak for paying $110,000 on behalf of the training partners for the gangly son of Zabeel and Maurine as a ready-to-run two-year-old.
But the Busuttins were always confident that the late-maturing gelding - a $12 Derby chance with TAB bookies last night - has just needed time to fill out his massive frame.
"He was big, lean and weak but he showed us plenty from the get-go," said Trent Busuttin.
Busuttin, concedes, however, he may have run out of time to sneak Derby-nominated stablemate Sir Roland (race one) into the $700,000 group one on March 1.
"It's all coming up too soon for him," explained Busuttin. "He has plenty of ability but doesn't know what it's about. Last time out he was over-racing and hanging. The penny hasn't dropped yet."
The Busuttins also saddle the royally bred New Zealand Oaks-nominated Revere (race nine), but Trent Busuttin warns against chasing her $61 quote for the Trentham feature in March.
"We just want to win a race with her before we tip her out and let her strengthen up."
