Author Topic: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)  (Read 3444 times)

Offline one-eyed

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More success for Dusty, this time at races

Megan Neil
Herald-Sun
8 October 2017


Dustin Martin and a syndicate of Richmond players now have a winning racehorse, and likely $1.5 million Victoria Derby contender at Flemington.

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has it all - an historic Brownlow Medal, premiership medallion and Norm Smith Medal treble, Tigers' best-and-fairest award and now a winning racehorse.

The Dusty Boys syndicate of Martin, four other Richmond players and their assistant coach now has a serious contender for next month's $1.5 million Group One Victoria Derby in Main Stage.

Trained by Richmond supporters Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Main Stage came from behind to take out the $120,000 Listed UCI Stakes at Flemington on Saturday for her large group of owners including the Dusty Boys.

The three-year-old gelding will now be targeted at the Group Three Caulfield Classic on Caulfield Cup day in a fortnight, before the Derby on November 4.

"It's only the quarter-final," Young said on Saturday.

"We've got the semi-final and the final to go yet, but this horse just keeps improving after every run."

Martin was not at Flemington for Saturday's race but Young believes he is a good chance to be trackside at Caulfield at least.

Getting the Dusty Boys of Martin, Josh Caddy, Reece Conca, Dion Prestia, Anthony Miles and assistant coach Andrew McQualter to Flemington on Derby Day may be a bit harder.

"I would love to get Dusty and the boys at the Derby," Young said.

"But I did get a little bit of a whisper that one of them is getting married on that day.

"I was like 'that's not on'. Who gets married on Derby Day?

"So we'll have to see."

The small Cranbourne-based Busuttin Racing stable is happy to share its success with the Richmond players, particularly after celebrating the side's 37-year drought-breaking premiership win.

Young and Busuttin are avid Richmond supporters.

It has rubbed off on their six-year-old son Ben, who dresses in Richmond gear every day.

"It's nice that they've come in to share in a horse and we've put them into the right one and it's a good one," Young said.

"Let's hope this horse can get on the main stage on the 4th of November."

http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/more-success-for-dusty-this-time-at-races/news-story/d3c916595455cc758e3e7eb36de35c11

Offline one-eyed

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Dusty and co's horse 'Main Stage' running in the Victoria Derby
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2017, 02:00:31 PM »
Busuttin and Young hoping to deliver on Main Stage for Tigers

stuff.co.nz
Last updated 15:41, October 23 2017


Former Cambridge trainer Natalie Young is happy to ride on Richmond star Dustin Martin's coat-tails as Main Stage heads for his "grand final" in the A$1.5 million Group I Victoria Derby.

The three-year-old gelding has been displaced as Derby favourite by Cliff's Edge after the Darren Weir-trained colt's win in Saturday's Group III Caulfield Classic.

Young, who trains in partnership with her partner Trent Busuttin believes Main Stage remains on target for the Derby on November 4, despite finishing third.

"I'm not actually that disappointed with the run," Young said.

"He still hit the line nicely, made up a bit of ground. It seemed to be a little bit of leaders' bias too so it was not really going to be the course for him.

"But we got that 2000 metres and that distance into his legs and that's the main thing for the grand final on the fourth."

Young said jumping from barrier one did not suit Main Stage, who did not settle well.

"We'll just get him back, freshen him for the next week and then carry on for Flemington," she said.

Main Stage's large group of owners includes the Dusty Boys syndicate of Martin, fellow Tigers Josh Caddy, Reece Conca, Dion Prestia, Anthony Miles and assistant coach Andrew McQualter.


Young has welcomed the additional attention on the horse after Richmond won the grand final and Martin became the first AFL player to take home the Brownlow Medal, a premiership medallion and the Norm Smith Medal in the same season.

"It's been really great," she said.

"We're riding on Dusty's coat-tails but we've still got to deliver."

Martin is holidaying in the US with close mate and fellow Brownlow Medallist and Collingwood premiership player Dane Swan.

It appears unlikely he will return in time for the Derby, but Young would love to see the star at Flemington for Main Stage's grand final.

"Hopefully we can get Dusty Martin on course," she said.

"He might just have to break his Vegas trip short and come racing with the Busuttin team."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/98150771/busuttin-and-young-hoping-to-deliver-on-main-stage-for-tigers

Offline one-eyed

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Richmond Tigers team builder Main Stage ready to add crystal to 2017 haul

Chris Roots
The Age
2 November 2017



What was supposed to be a team-building exercise for Richmond assistant coach Andrew McQualter and his group of midfielders is set to add a another chapter to a remarkable 2017.

The Tigers took the AFL flag in September, but on one of Melbourne's other biggest sporting days, Main Stage will start favourite for the Dustys Boys syndicate in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday.

"We never expected to suit-up on Derby day. It is a dream for people in the racing industry," McQualter said. "We have just been very lucky to get a pretty good horse.

"It has just been one of those years. We haven't expected a lot of things."

It might be only a 5 per cent share of Main Stage but the midfield group, led by Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin, might pick up a piece of crystal from the Derby which would be more unexpected than the flag.
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McQualter remembers simply wanting to bring his players to together when he Whatsapped the group of Martin, Reece Conca, Dion Prestia, Toby Nankervis, Anthony Miles and Josh Caddy in January.

"Our VFL runner Richie Horrocks, who is in Main Stage, had been at me for a while to get into a horse. When this bloke came up I sent the group a message and said I'm taking a bit of him and would they like to be involved," McQualter said. "They all got back pretty quickly and said yes.

"It was just something to do together away from footy to have a bit of fun.

"Something a bit different. We had a few new guys to the club and it was something that I thought would bring us together.

"As it turns out a couple of the other boys at the club are wishing they were in my group now.

"None of us really had a big interest in racing, other than socially, but it has given a different experience and journey in the past month, especially."

For former New Zealand co-trainer Trent Busuttin it has been a totally different experience to have a superstar involved in one of his three Derby hopes.

"It is like training for the All Blacks captain but bigger," Busuttin said.

"Everyone knows Main Stage as Dustin's horse but there is a big group of owners and my business manager Dan Moylan has done a big job to get them involved.

"He has been a horse that has just kept getting better as he has stepped up in trip and I am pretty confident he will stay the 2500 metres on Saturday."

It is a long way from his first start at Warrnambool carnival, where he was third in a two-year-old race.

"I remember the first race and we were all at work and we got the mids into the room to watch it, and we were over the moon when he ran third," McQualter said. "We were just excited to see him running on television.

"It was a tough caper, so I made sure the boys knew we weren't doing it to make money because I have had a few mates that have been in horses that never raced.

"They would be a bit jealous of him."

A spell followed for Main Stage and as Richmond were making their rise to glory in September, Main Stage won its third start at Kilmore and then ran second on the Wednesday of grand final week in the Derby trial at Flemington. Another win followed over 1800 metres in Listed company before he was third in the Caulfield Classic.

"He just raced a bit flat that day but I think he really likes Flemington and the long stretches will bring his best out," Busuttin said. "He has really trained on since and I expect him to be very strong on Saturday."

Busuttin and partner Natalie Young, who won a Victoria Derby with Sangster, also have Sully and Johnny Vinko in the Derby after focusing on buying staying prospects.

"To have three in a Derby is fantastic. The only thing that would be better would be to win it," he said.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/horseracing/tigers-team-builder-main-stage-ready-to-add-crystal-to-2017-haul-20171101-gzcubo.html

Offline one-eyed

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2017, 09:25:25 PM »
Can Dusty win quaddie on another Main Stage?

afl.com.au
3 November 2017


THE DUSTY Boys group of Richmond midfielders thought buying a stake in a racehorse for fun would lead to a day out at a country race meeting.

Instead, their team-bonding exercise called Main Stage has a chance at winning his own Grand Final in Saturday's $1.5 million Victoria Derby.

Main Stage has become known as Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin's horse, even though the Dusty Boys together only own a five per cent share.

The syndicate's name started off as a bit of a joke, at Martin's expense.

"(Assistant coach) Andrew McQualter just did that more so because it would annoy Dusty," premiership player Josh Caddy said.

"As you know he doesn't really like much attention being on him. He likes to keep a low profile, just play footy and that's about it.

"We sort of did it as a joke at the start and it's gained a bit of traction obviously with the year we've had and the year he's had individually as well."

The group will be hoping their luck rubs off for Main Stage after their 37-year drought-breaking premiership win and Martin's historic Brownlow Medal, premiership medallion and Norm Smith Medal treble.

Main Stage's co-trainer Trent Busuttin certainly hopes so.

Busuttin and training partner Natalie Young won the Victoria Derby with Sangster in 2011 while they were based in New Zealand.

The Cranbourne trainers have three confirmed starters in this year's race, although Sully and equal-second favourite Main Stage have both drawn outside barriers.

"They've both drawn terribly so they're going to need a bit of luck," Busuttin said.

Main Stage's large group of owners includes the Dusty Boys of Martin, Caddy, McQualter, Reece Conca, Dion Prestia, Anthony Miles and Toby Nankervis, while Richmond runner Richie Horrocks also has a stake.

The midfield group thought it would be a bit of fun to have an interest together outside football.

"We thought maybe we'd be able to have a day out in the country somewhere together and go and watch our horse run," Caddy said.

"It turns out it's running in the Derby at Flemington."

Caddy and Prestia are certain starters at Flemington on Saturday, although many of the Tigers will be in Tasmania for Jack Riewoldt's wedding.

Caddy is not sure if Martin will be trackside, although his name is on the guest list for some of the Birdcage marquees.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-03/can-dusty-win-quaddie-on-another-main-stage

Offline Yeahright

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2017, 02:10:37 AM »
 :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep

Offline Slipper

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2017, 10:17:02 AM »
:sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep

Aww c'mon mate, this is exciting stuff.

No one in the history of the game has won the Brownlow, Norm Smith, Premiership and Victorian Derby in the same year.

Offline one-eyed

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2017, 02:52:58 AM »
Dusty and co's horse ended up 5th.

https://www.racenet.com.au/horse-racing-results/flemington-20171104/aami-victoria-derby-race-7

DUSTIN Martin's perfect year has been tarnished somewhat when the horse in which he has a stake, Main Stage, finished down the track in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-04/can-dusty-win-quaddie-on-another-main-stage

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2017, 02:54:12 AM »
Dustin Martin keeps who’s who guessing as he fails to appear at Derby Day

Fiona Byrne,
Sunday Herald Sun
November 5, 2017



FORGET the horses, Derby Day became the “Where’s Dusty” Day as football’s most in-demand but most individual player, Dustin Martin, delivered a figurative “don’t argue” to the corporate racing set.

Martin was expected to attend Flemington on Saturday to see his horse, Main Stage, run in the prestigious Victoria Derby.

And naturally the Brownlow medallist was a sought-after guest at various plush Birdcage marquees.

Both Myer and Lavazza believed Martin was confirmed as attending their VIP corporate hospitality enclosures. Both provided him with the hard-to-get Birdcage ticketing — Lavazza issuing him four tickets, and Myer two. Myer even dispatched a car to ferry him to the track after his attendance had been confirmed by management.

But by 2.30pm, Martin still had not appeared and rumours as to his location grew wilder by the minute. He became a Birdcage myth, as difficult to corral at Flemington as he was to stop when in full flight on the footy field.

Even the Melbourne Cup trophy was waiting for the champion Tiger to appear, as the time for a photo opportunity to coincide with his expected arrival at the Myer Marquee ticked by.

Stories spread like wildfire. One was he was already at the track (not true), another was that he had been in a marquee for hours and no one had noticed (not true), yet another was that he was helicoptering in to watch the Derby and would then fly to Tasmania for teammate Jack Riewoldt’s wedding, still another had him deciding on a whim to ditch the races and get on a plane and go to Bali.

The only thing that was certain was that Martin was not at Flemington, but his presence was certainly felt.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/dustin-martin-keeps-whos-who-guessing/news-story/d240ae662a7da209b02c7b402030edb6

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2017, 06:54:19 AM »
He disappeared to Bali

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2017, 08:15:31 AM »

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2017, 08:25:16 AM »

Offline one-eyed

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2019, 03:08:13 PM »
Star Richmond duo on a winner

By SEN
9 May 2019


Ahead of their Round 8 clash against Fremantle in Perth on Sunday, Richmond stars Dustin Martin and Josh Caddy have already enjoyed a win this week.

Martin and Caddy are part-owners of four-year-old stayer Main Stage, which snapped a 578-day drought by winning over 1800 metres at Sandown on Wednesday.

Prior to his one-length victory under Michael Walker in the Benchmark 84 event, Main Stage, which is trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, hadn't won since October, 2017.

"Thank God for that, the owners were starting to get a little bit impatient," Young told Racing.com.

"We took the blinkers off and went back to basics and we've ridden him from the back and it's worked.

    He's back in the winners circle. Main Stage was too strong late, running over the top of them for his first win in 578 days. @busuttin pic.twitter.com/ZZkfVlW9mH
    — Racing.com (@Racing) May 8, 2019


"He's been going over the jumps, he's been going up the Hill track… we've just really put the work into him.

"It's great for the owners; a big thank you to them for being patient enough because I was a bit worried there he might be walking out the door."

The gelded son of Reliable Man has won three of his 19 starts for earnings of $268,000.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/05/08/star-richmond-duo-on-a-winner/

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Re: More success for Dusty, this time at races with Main Stage (H-Sun)
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2020, 04:32:07 PM »
Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin and a host of Richmond premiership champs are plotting an ambitious All-Star Mile tilt with Main Stage.

Winless since May, Main Stage — which is also part-owned by Tigers Josh Caddy, Dion Prestia and Toby Nankervis along with former teammates Reece Conca and Anthony Miles — is among several nominations from Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
The training partnership has also entered Acting, Blinder, Mirage Dancer, Savvy Lad and The Holy One in the $5 million 1600m feature at Caulfield on March 14.

Winner in Listed company as a three-year-old, Main Stage contested several Australia Group 1 races before his form tapered off.

Martin and his pals are hoping to secure support in the public vote in the second edition of the race claimed last year by Mystic Journey.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/allstar-mile-2020-dustin-martin-and-fellow-tigers-could-have-a-runner-in-5-million-feature/news-story/f233939272aef22236f82dc077974475