Weights turnaround leads to cancelled Sydney trip

By Glenn Davis

A massive turnaround in weights in Brisbane has enticed trainer Pat Busuttin to abort a planned Sydney trip with Likeabeel.

Busuttin was all set to start Likebeel in a 2400-metre Benchmark race at Rosehill on Saturday but instead will stay home to run in the same grade over 2200 metres at Eagle Farm.

Likeabeel booked his trip to Sydney when edged out by the Jack Bruce-trained Coup De Tonnerre in a 2231-metre Benchmark race at Eagle Farm last month.

Likeabeel gave away four kilos to Coup De Tonnerre when the pair last clashed but this time the weights heavily favour Likeabeel.

A rising nine-year-old, Likeabeel was allotted 55kgs when weights were released on Tuesday while Coup De Tonnerre received 55.5kgs.

“I was going to run him in Sydney this Saturday but it looks a much easier option for him now at home,” said Busuttin.

“The distance in Sydney was obviously a lot more suitable but it’s much easier here where he receives a big turnaround in the weights.

“He was only just beaten last start at Eagle Farm and the weight turnaround in our favour is quite significant.

“It’s a big swing in our favour but Coup De Tonnerre still looks the one to beat.”

Busuttin has no form plans in mind for Likeabeel but may aim him for the Listed Queensland Cup over 2400 metres at Eagle Farm later in the year.

“The Queensland Cup is still a fair way off but he’s tough so he should still be around by then,” he said.

“Last year he had 19 runs in one preparation and he’s only had five so far this campaign.

“He’s had an easy life so far.”

The semi-retired Busuttin is based at Deagon on Brisbane’s northside where he trains a small team of three while working part-time mentoring stable hands for Racing Queensland.

The 70-year-old has trained 46 Group 1 winners in four countries in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Macau.

He is best remembered to Queenslanders as the trainer of former top Kiwi strayer Castletown who campaigned in Brisbane during the 1994 Brisbane winter carnival.

Castletown won three Wellington Cups, an Auckland Cup and a New Zealand Derby all at Group 1 level.