The filly Lagunanini, prepared by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, is aiming for an uncommon achievement when she contests at Caulfield.

Lagunanini seeks to match the accomplishments of her elder sibling McGaw by taking out the $1 million The Showdown (1200m) this Saturday.

McGaw and Lagunanini both went into The Showdown following maiden victories – McGaw from Pakenham, Lagunanini from Sale – and beyond their bloodlines, the parallels end there.

McGaw was bought by Emma-Lee and David Browne for $14,000 whereas Busuttin and Young spent $160,000 to acquire Lagunanini.

Although the cost exceeded 10 times the amount the Brownes invested, it could prove a smart buy since McGaw has developed into a Group 2 victor, undoubtedly boosting Lagunanini’s prospects as a future broodmare.

“He was very athletic and raw whereas she was solid and looked like a real runner,” Young said.

“We loved her the first time we saw her. She’s got a great body on her, and she’s done nothing wrong since coming into the barn.

“We gave her that first prep and then tipped her out and gave her a bit of a long break.

“The penny has dropped this time and she’s handling the pressure.”

The challenge must now shift to Caulfield this Saturday, yet Young believes the filly’s composed nature will serve her well.

“It will be a big day, different atmosphere, but I think she will handle it, no problem,” Young said.

“We can’t question her professionalism. Beau (Mertens) knows her, he won on her, and she’s usually very sensible at the races and trials beforehand.

“She doesn’t get too worked up, but it is a two-year-old race, and you never know what can happen.”

Young mentioned they thought about a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday but opted to remain at home for last preparations at Cranbourne.

Lagunanini is still entered in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill in a week’s time and accepted for the Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill this Saturday.

The filly has nominations for the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 4 plus the Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) the week after.

“We put her in up in Sydney as well, just in case we drew wide, as we just wanted another option, but we’ll head to Caulfield after getting the ace draw,” Young said.

“There’s Stakes races coming up interstate that may suit her, but we’ll get through Saturday first and see where we go.”

Explore the Australian betting sites for the latest markets on The Showdown at Caulfield.