Blind Raise ready for Cox Plate challenge

New Zealand-bred three-year-old Blind Raise (NZ) (Ace High) will take his place in Saturday’s A$6 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Flemington, with trainer Trent Busuttin confident the talented gelding can measure up against older opposition.

The son of Ace High has won four of his six starts and was gallant when runner-up to Warwoven (Sword Of State) in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last start, having endured considerable pressure on speed.

Trained by Busuttin in partnership with Natalie Young, Blind Raise will jump from barrier nine under Jamie Melham and carries just 49.5kg under the weight-for-age conditions.

Busuttin expects his charge to race prominently despite the wide draw, with several other runners also likely to push forward.

“We will be sliding forward. The only positive from the barrier draw is that there is no question Land Legend (Galileo) will be going forward and Light Infantry Man (Fast Company) will go across as well,” Busuttin said.

“Hopefully we can go underneath them, get across and find some cover. It is what it is, Jamie will sort it out.”

Blind Raise will be taking on older opposition in the Cox Plate, but Busuttin is confident the three-year-old can handle the pressure of the weight-for-age feature.

“The three-year-olds go through a pain barrier every year in the Cox Plate, where they are all going flat out,” he said.

“Three-year-olds have a good record in the race.

“I have no problem with it being a high-pressure race. We also only have to carry 49.5kg.”

Busuttin has been delighted with Blind Raise’s progress since his Caulfield Guineas performance and believes there could be further improvement to come as the gelding prepares for just his fourth run of the campaign.

“We were very happy with his Guineas run. He certainly hasn’t taken a step backwards, and he is only fourth-up, so I hope there is improvement in him,” he said.

“He looks great in the coat and he will present at his best.”

The Cox Plate will also see Blind Raise renew his rivalry with Warwoven, who is prepared by Bjorn Baker.

Busuttin and Baker are longtime friends, having grown up together in New Zealand, but Saturday’s Cox Plate will give them more than just a chance to compete for one of Australia’s most prestigious prizes, it will also provide valuable bragging rights between the two old mates.

Busuttin admitted there were easier options available for Blind Raise, including the Gr.2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley or the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, but believes the opportunity to contest a Cox Plate was too good to pass up.

“We could have run in the Vase or gone up for the Spring Champion Stakes, but not very often do you get a genuine chance in the Cox Plate,” he said.

Offered by his breeders The Oaks Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2025, Blind Raise was purchased by Busuttin Young Racing for $70,000.

The gelding is by Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High out of the Darci Brahma mare Away Cruising. A two-race winner herself, Away Cruising is a daughter of Seachange (NZ), who carried The Oaks Stud’s colours to seven Group One victories and was twice crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year