Savvy choice to step up in trip

[Wandering Eyes]

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Gottabesavvy (NZ) (Savabeel) will return to a staying trip at Caulfield.

The consistent three-year-old will compete over 2400m when he runs in the MRC Membership First Renewal Edward Bode Handicap on Saturday.

Gottabesavvy has raced only once at a similar trip previously, beating just two to the line in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville in May.

But Young said there was excuses for the about to turn four-year-old that day.

“He didn’t travel over (to Adelaide) too well,” Young said.

“He also got a bit wound up before the race and he had a wide gate as well, but since he’s back he’s been excellent.”

While he has yet to claim a victory in his three runs since that Derby flop, Gottabesavvy has run well twice at Flemington, finishing within three lengths of the winner on each occasion at 2000m and a last start third over 2000m at Caulfield on July 8.

Young said Gottabesavvy was looking for the extra journey now judging on his most recent outing.

“He’s been thereabouts in his last couple of starts, so we thought this would be a nice race for him,” Young said.

“He’s doing really well, and it’s come up not overly strong. We also know he’ll get the trip and he hasn’t done anything wrong since his last run.

“He galloped up well on Tuesday morning and he’s still eating everything.”

Young does not know how far the stable will press on into the spring with Gottabesavvy and will most likely be content to skirt around the edges of the looming Melbourne Spring Carnival.

“We gave him a bit of a freshen up and swam him for a week after the Derby,” Young said.

“Over the next couple of weeks, we will be happy to pick off some of those 2400-metre races that are around and try and get a bit of prize money.”

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