Cup distance too long for Mirage Dancer

Co-trainer Trent Busuttin says Mirage Dancer will run over shorter than the 3200m of the Melb Cup.

Co-trainer Trent Busuttin says he has learned a valuable lesson with imported horse Mirage Dancer following the Melbourne Cup.

After Mirage Dancer finished 14th behind Vow And Declare in Tuesday’s Cup, Busuttin, who trains in partnership with Natalie Young, came to the conclusion the horse does not run out 3200m.

Busuttin wanted to prove the “experts” wrong and even got a little excited as the Cup field turned for home, but in the end they were proven correct.

“I was sort of hopeful, as you are being the trainer, that you can get them to stay,” Busuttin said.

“But all the analysts got it right.

“He had a trouble-free prep, he had a beautiful ride and he was on the back of Finche and travelling and he got to the home turn and I got a little bit excited.

“But in the end he didn’t stay.

“He kept on whacking on but he certainly didn’t get the two miles.”

Busuttin said Mirage Dancer would have a break before returning to the couple’s Cranbourne stable for an autumn campaign.

“He’s gone to the paddock and I don’t think he would have seen a paddock for a while,” Busuttin said.

“We’ll bring him back for the Australian Cup (Flemington), the BMW (Rosehill).

“There’s still plenty of money around.”

Arriving in Australia in late September, Mirage Dancer made his Australian debut for Busuttin and Young finishing third in the Caulfield Cup(2400m) behind Mer De Glace before his Melbourne Cup run.