Badoosh to be tested as a stayer

Trainer Matt Dunn hopes Badoosh can stamp his staying potential over 1800m at Eagle Farm.

Badoosh has a career-defining moment as trainer Matt Dunn’s only runner at Eagle Farm .

The Murwillumbah-based Dunn had 18 acceptors for the Grafton meeting on Thursday but decided to bring Badoosh to Brisbane for Saturday’s QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1800m).

Dunn realises Badoosh has a task with 59kg from a wide barrier but is looking for an indication the gelding can stay.

“If he shows us he will get 2000 metres or further we might decide to press on into the winter with him,” Dunn said.

“He hasn’t had much luck in shorter races and he indicates he is looking for at least 1800 metres.”

“But he is well into this campaign and he would need to really show something to justify the winter.”

Badoosh is by the late Sebring who has produced many good stayers in recent years including Group One winning three-year-olds Criterion and Egg Tart.

Dunn and his bloodstock agent Neil Jenkinson went to $250,000 for Badoosh at the 2018 Magic Millions Sales looking for a possible Magic Millions Guineas horse.

The gelding has not reached those heights yet but has won one race and been minor-placed six times.

Dunn is having one of his best seasons with 66 overall winners and he is fourth on the Queensland metropolitan premiership with 22 wins.

The Dunn-trained Gracie Belle raced her way into the NSW Country Championship final with her second in the qualifier at Grafton on Thursday.