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...
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.