Muramasa takes Queen Elizabeth
Success in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) is an important steppingstone to the Melbourne Cup for Muramasa.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained galloper is now qualified to run in next year’s Cup (3200m) after producing a strong staying effort on Saturday.
Purchased with a Derby in mind (Muramasa did run fifth in last year’s Victoria Derby), the now gelding is unbeaten in three runs as a four-year-old.
Muramasa was gelded and had tieback surgery after finishing near the tail of the field in the Australian Guineas at Flemington during the autumn.
That surgery put an end to chasing a Derby for his trainers, but Busuttin and Young are now eyeing off the 2024 Cup.
“That was the reason why we scratched him from the Bendigo Cup,” Young said.
“We gave him three weeks between runs as sometimes third-up they can put in a flat one, especially coming back from a wind op.
“He’s got a real turn-of-foot and this race panned out for the goals in a year’s time.”
Young said the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on December 2 was the next likely assignment for Muramasa.
“He just has to pull up well,” Young said.