By Michael Floyd
Cranbourne Cup winner Uncle Bryn resumes at Flemington on Saturday and co-trainer Natalie Young is hoping it will be his first step towards one of the country’s richest races.
Uncle Bryn came from last to win the Sale Cup over 1600m last October, and after a luckless run in Sydney, returned to his home track to dominate the $500,000 Cranbourne Cup in November – also over the mile – breaking the course record in the process.
After a short break, the English import returned to work with the country’s richest race over 1600m the target – the $5m All-Star Mile.
And, after his final piece of work on Tuesday, Young is confident her dual country cup winner is on target to take on the country’s finest milers.
“He’s going super,” said Young, who trains in partnership with Trent Busuttin.
“He’s actually had a couple of really nice jump outs in the lead up.
“He finished fourth in an official trial last week with (regular rider) Mark Zahra on and he was really up and about after he got off.
“It was a very fast run jump out and he finished off really nicely which is what you want to see going forward.”
Uncle Bryn will resume in The Elms, a $175,000 handicap over 1400m, and Young believes he is well placed to make an impression first up.
“On nominations it looks like a winnable race for him,” she said.
“He’s going to love that Flemington straight…he loves to get back and in behind the speed and he just rounds it off once he balances up and he really hits the line strong.
“He’s a Sale Cup winner and a Cranbourne Cup winner, so let’s hope that form stacks up and he can be in for a really good preparation.”
While the All-Star Mile is the goal, the format of the race means that talent alone won’t get him there.
The race is unique in that fans vote for who they believe should make the field, and Young is hoping the locals get behind their local Cup winner.
“It would be great for all the Cranbourne people to get behind Uncle Bryn,” she said.
“I’m sure if we do happen to get him there and win the race, Silks will be going off afterwards – we’ll be putting a bit of money on the bar!”
Voting for the All Star Mile is open now, and simply by voting fans will have the chance to win $250,000.
Visit www.allstarmile.com.au for conditions and to vote.
