Not A Single Doubt's Cusack Books His Ticket to the Gold Coast

Mark Smith - Saturday November 20

The Not A Single Doubt colt Cusack earned his ticket for the $2million Magic Millions 2yo Classic in January when making a winning debut in Saturday’s $250,000 Magic Millions Ballarat 2yo Classic (1000m).

Flashy chestnut Cusack hold the fast-finishing Cover Star (image Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

With Craig Newitt in the saddle for trainers Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young, Cusack clung to a nose victory over Matt Cumani’s fast-finishing Star Witness filly Cover Star with the Clayton Douglas-trained Starspangledbanner colt Epic Centre a further length back in third.

“He was tough. He didn’t do everything 100 per cent,” Busuttin said.  

Advertisement

“He was off the bridle on the point of the turn. I thought, ‘you’re in trouble.’ He was hanging out from the horse inside (of) him, but he hung tough.

“For a great bunch of owners - ladies that got together and bought the horse. They’ll be chasing that Ladies Bonus up on the Gold Coast.

“That is certainly a lot harder, but he’s basically got his ticket in the race, so all being well, we’ll go up there.

“It’s good to get new owners involved, and I’m rapt for them.

“He’ll have a little break now - get him racing around that way and get up there.”

Cusack was a bit of a grump in the saddling paddock, giving Newitt a bit of a scare.

Happy connections heading to the Gold Coast (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

“He’s a funny horse. He’s really quiet at home, and I was a bit surprised,” Newitt said.

“I said to the guys that if you didn’t know him, you’d be worried about getting on him.

“He tried to cow-kick me but once he set foot on the track he was a deadset kids pony.

“He’s the ultimate professional and he’s got the ability to go with it.”

Cusack was the equal most expensive horse in the field. Busuttin Racing purchased the son of Not a Single Doubt for $200,000 out of the Fernrigg Farm draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Cosaack a $200,000 Magic Millions Yearling

Fernrigg will offer a full sister to Cusack at the Magic Millions in January.

Cusack is the first winner of two to race out of the winning Street Hero mare Belle Que. She is one of 36 live foals from the final crop of Arrowfield Stud’s Not A Single Doubt.

Fernrigg Farm purchased Belle Que for $150,000 from the Edinburgh Park draft at the 2018 National Broodmare Sale when carrying a filly by Written Tycoon.

From the family of Criterion, Comin’ Through, Malice and Bull Point, Belle Que was covered by Microphone last year.

Advertisment

Race Result - Mm Ballarat 2yo Classic 1000m

Ballarat Track: Good(4) Time: 0:58.00
1
Cusack
- 2c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Belle Que (AUS) (Street Hero (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 58
2
0.1
Cover Star
- 2f Star Witness (AUS) x Cover Charge (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Fred W Kersley 56
3
1.1
Epic Centre
- 2c Starspangledbanner (AUS) x Shake That (AUS) (Toorak Toff (AUS))
Tnr: Clayton Douglas Rdr: L Currie 58
4
1.8
Kings Consort
- 2c Ilovethiscity (AUS) x Peckish (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
5
2.6
Nannu
- 2c Rubick (AUS) x Jessamin (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: L Nolen 58
6
2.8
Nothing Silly
- 2c Rubick (AUS) x Royal Tower (AUS) (Valixir (IRE))
Tnr: K L Corstens Rdr: B Prebble 58
7
2.9
Negation
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Gloray (AUS) (Street Hero (USA))
Tnr: Kurt Goldman Rdr: B Mc Dougall 56
8
3.1
Fly Nice
- 2f Impending (AUS) x Sparkle (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ms L J Meech 56
9
3.2
Arts Object
- 2f Zoustar (AUS) x Ringhals (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Kurt Goldman Rdr: Damien Thornton 56
10
5.9
Le Gagneur
- 2c Shalaa (IRE) x Rationality (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Lachlan King 58
11
6.1
Hercules Morse
- 2c Caravaggio (USA) x Girluphigh (IRE) (Unbridled's Song (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 58
12
7.1
Onlyhereforthebeer
- 2g Your Song (AUS) x Miss Kindilan (AUS) (Written Tycoon (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Jordan Childs 58
More Reading...
Promising Ole Kirk 3yo Regal Award Simply Too Good
Improving off a last start fifth behind Space Rider over 1200m at Moonee Valley, the Phillip Stokes trained Regal Award didn’t disappoint as the race favourite in Sportsbet BlackBook Plate (1300m) on the Sandown Hillside course on Wednesday, scoring with ease.
Karaka Graduates Honoured at New Zealand Horse of the Year Awards
The champions of New Zealand’s 2024-25 season were crowned during the Horse of the Year Awards in Hamilton on Sunday night, where four Karaka graduates were named the standouts of their respective categories.
Keeneland September Record Breaking Book 1 Concludes
Trade at Tuesday’s second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued the enthusiasm for Thoroughbred racing prospects shown during Monday’s opening day with nearly $75 million in sales and a September Sale record session average of $675,180 and median of $550,000. Twenty yearlings sold for $1 million or more to set a Day 2 session record. 
Are You Sending a Mare to Cogburn?
Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded on Tuesday with the rise of exciting young sire Not This Time as a big player on the world stage well and truly illustrated with 22 of his yearlings selling at an average $805,682.
Debut Farnan Winner for Pencarrow Stud
Three-year-old filly Passiflora showed promise at the trials and transferred that potential into raceday success when scoring on debut in the NZ Horse Ambulance 970 at Cambridge on Wednesday.
I Am Invincible Stallion Chasing Black Type in NZ
Tardelli has the looks to match his rich pedigree, and his upcoming preparation will be focussed on adding a top level performance to boost his future stallion prospects.
Break Through Win for Promising Pierro Stayer
Placed in the Group I New Zealand Derby behind Willydoit, talented young stayer Golden Century has been long overdue to break through for a maiden win and he got the job done at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Another Impressive New Winner St Mark’s Basilica
A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.
Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale-Topper Salutes
Bought by Yulong for $700,000 to top the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale last year, three year-old Justify (USA) colt Officiate opened his account with a determined win in testing conditions at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Trainers Rewarded with Continued NZB Ready to Run Series
With the continued long-term support of Majestic Horse Transport and Dunstan Horsefeeds, NZB is pleased to announce that the Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series will return for its sixth edition this season, kicking off on Saturday at two venues. ?