Trainer Trent Busuttin has underlined the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) as a possible campaign target for Anaheim, who returned to winning form via an impressive performance at Caulfield on Saturday.
Sent off a $9 shot after drifting in betting markets for the Lojac Civil BM78 (1800m), Anaheim took a handy position in transit behind the early pace and mustered a superior turn of foot to beat Sin To Win by more than half a length.
Busuttin was pleased with Anaheim’s return to the winner’s stall and told RSN that the horse is likely to back-up in Friday’s Benalla Cup (2000m) before a likely fourth-up run in the Herbert Power Stakes a fortnight later.
“He deserved to win – he’s been there about for about 18 months with no luck, so it was nice to get a win with him,” Busuttin said.
“We’re probably going to back him up on Friday in the Benalla Cup – a $100,000 race, 2000m and he’s a big, strong entire who has come back to the stable and thrived.
“If he can win a race like that or go close in a race like that, we’ll maybe look at the Herbert Power two weeks later.
“It’s 2400m at Caulfield and just a rung below the top-liners obviously, but it’s still a $400,000 race. They might be a couple of nice races for him.”
Anaheim only made his debut as a three-year-old during the 2016 Spring Carnival, but has already posted several impressive performances and results and boasts a commendable record of three wins and five minors, through only fourteen starts.
Ending his debut preparation with a smart win in the Listed TV Stakes (1800m), the Fastnet Rock entire resumed this year for third in the Le Pine Funerals BM78 (1400m) before running fifth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and fourth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
Failing to fire in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m), Anaheim was sent to the paddock after running mid-pack in both the Sky High Mt Dandenong BM84 (2000m) and Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m).
Nominations for Friday’s 2017 Benalla Cup are due to close today (Monday, 25 September).