After Daggers’ promising start to his career, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable believed he could be their standout spring galloper.
Following two wins, he placed third over 1400m at Flemington before stepping up to the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley, a race where he struggled. A virus then derailed his potential run in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, ending his spring campaign.
After a break and two jump-outs at Cranbourne, Daggers is now ready for his return in the $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
“I thought he’d be a headline horse for the stable in the spring, but he got a virus, so we just spelled him straight away,” said trainer Natalie Young. “He’s trialled up super and even had a jump-out up the straight at Flemington before, so he’s got that little advantage.”
While disappointed by the missed spring opportunities, Young is optimistic about Daggers’ future, believing the colt is still capable of big things.
“His target will be races from 1200m to 1400m,” she said. “It’s a $1 million race, so why not, and it’s a good starting point for his first-up run.”
Young highlighted Daggers’ physical progress since last spring. “He’s fresh and ready, an amazing colt to look at, he’s a beast,” she added. “He’s filled out, and I’m sure he’ll give it a shake on Saturday.”