Sunsource secures VRC Derby berth

[Wandering Eyes]

Sunsource ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Byerley Handicap at Flemington. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Having taken out Saturday’s Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday, Sunsource has clinched a golden ticket into the 2023 VRC Derby (2500m).

The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained two-year-old had not tasted success since his debut victory at Ballarat on November 19 last year.

Sent around as a $4.20 second-elect with online bookmakers, Sunsource was travelling keenly throughout, but under Damien Oliver, he never looked like getting beaten upon straightening.

Connections were tempted to geld the juvenile after a series of poor performances, but co-trainer Natalie Young said those plans were now shelved after the victory, with connections now hoping he could instead become a classic contender in the spring.

“We threatened him through the week that he was going to be two-stone lighter and it’s obviously worked,” Young said.

“He’s always shown a lot of ability this horse. Just the last couple of runs he’s been a little switched off but obviously with the blinkers on, he’s a little more genuine now.

“It’s good to see this horse bounce back after winning that Ballarat two-year-old race (on debut).”

“He’s probably bred to be that 1600, 1800-metre horse, (but) we’ll try if (derby path) that’s for sure,” she said.

“We’ll keep those jewels in and maybe go for a (Caulfield) Guineas,” she said.

Oliver was impressed how the colt kept finding the line, but wasn’t so sure about the Caulfield Guineas as a genuine target for the colt.

“I don’t know if he’s sharp enough for a Caulfield Guineas but he feels like a 2000 will suit him for mine,” Oliver said.

“He kept finding the line over the 1800m, which is promising.”

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