Sandown Stakes to determine Craig’s big-race prospects

Talented import Craig will control his own short-term future in Saturday’s Group 3 Sandown Stakes, with victory potentially opening a path to the Group 1 Toorak Handicap and maybe even the $10 million Golden Eagle.

Talented import Craig will control his own short-term future in Saturday’s Group 3 Sandown Stakes.

The British-bred Craig created a strong impression with impressive winter form before returning with a soft first-up win at Caulfield last month, suggesting he could measure up in much richer races in the spring.

Co-trainer Trent Busuttin said the four-year-old had the chance to force himself into either a Group 1 contest at Caulfield or a $10m event in Sydney with a win in the Sandown Stakes.

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Busuttin noted Craig won a Benchmark 78 race at his past outing but had to overcome a class rise in Saturday’s $200,000 race in which he’ll be ridden by Luke Currie.

“Being realistic, he’s jumping from a Benchmark 78 to a Group 3 race but, in saying that, he looks a very progressive horse,” Busuttin, who trains Craig in partnership with Natalie Young, said.

“If he wins, he gets into the Toorak and if he wins, I suggest he’ll get enough ratings points to get into a Golden Eagle.

“If he wins, he dictates his own campaign.”

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Ladbrokes rated Craig as the $2.90 favourite in early Sandown Stakes betting ahead of the hardened gallopers Desert Lightning and Nicolini Vito at $5.

Busuttin said the bookmakers might have underestimated Desert Lightning’s chances of notching a maiden Australian win for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

Desert Lightning arrived in Melbourne for the All-Star Mile earlier this year, bringing with him top-level form in New Zealand, including a Group 1 win last December.

“The markets have him (Craig) over the line and we’re hoping he’s a good horse,” Busuttin said.

“But everyone is forgetting that he raced against three-year-olds in winter and raced against 78 raters the other day.

“The horse of Moody’s is a proper horse. It beat Legarto and it’s a genuine Group horse.

“It has the best of New Zealand form.

“If Legarto was in the race, she would be $1.40.

“I hope the market and the boom is right but we’ll find out Saturday.”

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Busuttin said Craig’s laid-back attitude made it difficult to get a guide on his progress since his Caulfield win.

“He doesn’t get excited about much,” Busuttin said.

“He’s like an eight-year-old gelding, he just plods along and it’s hard to get a read on him because he doesn’t get excited in his demeanour or trackwork.

“He’s very laid back in all regards.

Originally published as Sandown Stakes to determine Craig’s big-race prospects