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...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 1
Here is the full list of 8 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Joe Yorke
The racing industry has lost one of its more colourful characters with the passing of Joe Yorke on Sunday.
G1 Older Sprinters- Are Our Sprinters the Best in the World?
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 23 Group I races won by older horses at a distance less than 1600m, but one race that fits the category but is yet to be given G1 status is the $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) and form out of it would suggest it was the best of them all.
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry. 
Levakia Adds to Good Week for Curraghmore
Emerging filly Levakia has given Curraghmore further cause for celebration.
Kiwi Innovator Recognized
Emma Thompson was stepping into the unknown when taking on the role as Programme Lead for the NZB Kiwi, and after executing an outstanding inaugural running in March, she was recognised at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards.
Many Pedigree Paths Lead to Helen Street
Jane Henning of Pedigree Dynamics offers her thoughts on an Irish Oaks winner that has become a remarkable producer and is now emerging as a great candidate for line breeding.
Istataba adds international flavour to National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Buyers can currently bid on 11 stakes-performed mares in the National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, including one that brings South American bloodlines and Singaporean racetrack performance.
G1 Older Milers and Stayers- No Wonder Owners Look Overseas
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 26 Group I races won by older horses at a distance of 1600m or more and they were won by 17 different horses with Via Sistina (IRE) and Mr Brightside (NZ) the only horses to win G1 races as sprinters (less than 1600m) and also as mile/middle distance/staying horses.
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.