Trent Busuttin and partner Natalie Young‘s plans to target the back end of the spring campaign has paid off with Savvy Oak returning to winning form at Flemington.
But Saturday’s Very Special Kids Pin And Win Plate over 2000m was not their original choice.
A South Australian Derby placegetter in the autumn, the training partners were thinking of aiming at their home town Cranbourne Cup and then the Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m), also run at Flemington on Saturday.
“That obviously went wrong but he’s now back on track today,” Busuttin said.
After finishing last in the Cranbourne Cup on October 13, blinkers were removed with connections opting for a jockey change.
Providing Damian Lane with his first success of Melbourne Cup week, Savvy Oak ($19) ran out a 1-1/4 length winner from Saddle The Sun ($15) with El Don ($31) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Busuttin said Savvy Oak was likely to head to the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on December 9.
“He’s shown he likes a big flat track and 2500 metres with his second in the South Australian Derby, and he liked the big flat track here over 2500 metres in the spring,” Busuttin said.
“I think it’d be an ideal race for him as most of the good ones will be gone by then.
“This was obviously a benchmark 90 but he’s capable of being in a nice race.”