Harness racing trainer Kyle Austin knows what it is like to own a top horse having raced the very talented Nutwood 1:50.6 (8wins) over twenty odd years ago and he now has one in his care that looks to be blessed with the same abundance of ability.
Buster Bailey is the horses name and the three year old son of Real Desire gave Addington racegoers a glimpse tonight of why he is held in such high regard by both Kyle and driver Blair Orange.
Staying out of the early fireworks from barrier three, Buster Bailey was sent forward to grab the lead with just over a lap to go by Blair, though not without a fight with Dream Damien.
These two went clear on the home turn but Buster Bailey was always travelling the better and although racing greenly in the straight still had half a length to spare at the finish.
The time of 2:22.5 was super impressive in the cold conditions, a mile rate of 1:57.5 with closing sectionals of 58.8 and 27.6.
Kyle is enjoying the ride just as much this time as he did with Nutwood.
" It is so hard to get a really smart horse so I am rapt to have Buster in the stable."
"After I sold Nutwood, I struggled to find a winner for quite a while so it is nice to have another smart one." Kyle said.
With only a handful of starts off the place in his short career, there would appear to be plenty of upside to Buster Bailey.
"I gave him a few runs off the place at two but he was pretty immature and I put him aside in the end."
" He only qualified in early November at Addington so you would like to think he has plenty of upside."
" That win tonight was penalty free but our big aim is the $23,500 Super Series Final on February 12th which is a maiden front for him," Kyle said.
As to be expected with a three year old who looks well above average, the bloodstock agents have been hovering but no business is close to be done at present.
" No one has made me a firm offer to date but I am not sure I want to sell anyway."
" It has been a long time between drinks and I am really enjoying it," Kyle said.
However that pans out, Kyle has one very talented three year old in his care.
Harnesslink Media