Bustler back in career-best form and ready to rumble first-up in Belmont Sprint
Group 1 winner Bustler will be out to show his trial form has been no fluke in the Group 3 $200,000 Swan Draught Belmont Sprint (1400m), lining up a $7 third elect in the first big race of the wet track's season.
The five-year-old excited his fans when cruising to a comfortable success at an Ascot trials session almost two weeks ago, beating handy rivals including stablemate and subsequent Lark Hill heat winner September Born.
His jockey, Steve Parnham, says the gelding has regained career-best form and is in rude health ahead of Saturday's clash.
'He's showing that he's near his best that won the Railway a couple of years ago,' Parnham told TABradio.
'His trackwork has been as good as back then, and his trials have been even better.
'He was quite sharp in the trial with his blinkers on, so I'd expect him to jump out as he did and put himself in a prominent spot. Some cover behind the speed would be nice, but he's a pretty adaptable horse.'
Bustler sat sixth in a field of 16 to win the 2023 Railway Stakes, the closest he has positioned relative to the lead in any of his wins excepting his debut.
Three-year-old tyro West Star is the $2.80 TABtouch favourite after scooting away with the Northam Stakes on May 11.
He leads 2021 Railway winner Western Empire at $4.60, with Stephen Miller's Magnificent Andy - a Northam runner-up to West Star - at $9.
'He's one of those horses that does his best all the time and is not far off them in those big races,' Miller said.
'I feel that his ultimate (distance) is the 1400m, but I would have preferred barrier six or something like that.
'The horse is fit and well. He'll run well.'
+ Proven performers Antino and Pride Of Jenni share $3.60 favouritism for the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Queensland.
Antino routed his Hollindale Stakes rivals two weeks ago, sustaining a steamrolling run to pulverise his rivals by three and a half lengths.
Pride Of Jenni, who was retired last year after a Cantala Stakes failure, has won two easier races this preparation which were split by another disappointment in the Australian Cup.
+ Victorian chaser Giacomo, unbeaten in four WA runs, will start favourite for the Group 2 WA Derby (520m) at Cannington.
The $2.80 favourite won the Mandurah Derby three weeks ago in a brilliant 27.10 seconds before turning his attention to the series.
Echoes Of Dad ($3.60) - the least experienced runner in the field - is next in betting ahead of Junk Yard Clyde ($4.60), who was the fastest qualifier in 29.47 seconds last week.
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