Busy Fingers was competitive in six starts without winning last year but he returned an altogether different proposition winning first-up in the Lawn Pride Australia Maiden (1000m) at Belmont last Wednesday.

The Adam Durrant-trained gelding had been a costly conveyance for punters in those half-dozen outings before going some way to reimbursing them first-up albeit as a $1.70 favourite under Willie Pike.

Busy Fingers received all the favours in running behind pacesetters Cawarra (Playing God) and Air Terjun (Headwater) before angling into the clear to score by over a length.

“That franked a nice Lark Hill trial a fortnight ago,” stable foreman Jordon Rolfe said.  “He’s always shown ability and it’s good to see him get the job done.  He’s improved with the addition of blinkers and we were fairly confident today.  He kept it together in running and did everything right.”

Busy Fingers is by Rubick (Encosta de Lago) who is now based in China.  He’s the second winner from Fiftyshadesofgrey who took eight starts to win a Gosford maiden before adding three sprints at Rosehill for trainer Marc Connors.

The mare was a $90,000 buy for Westbury Park owner Phil Ibbotson at the 2020 Magic Millions National Sale and Busy Fingers also made $90,000 when he was sold at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.

“Magic Millions had accepted him for the February Sale,” Ibbotson recalled.  “He’s a good-looking, athletic colt but picked up a minor leg injury and had to be withdrawn.”

Pike said Busy Fingers isn’t the easiest horse to get along with while admitting he’s a more seasoned horse this preparation.  “We had a good run and he had a breather in transit so luck went our way.  He came off heels at the top of the straight and sustained a long sprint to win.”

Fiftyshadesofgrey has a 2yo Playing God gelding named Blindfolded with Pearce Racing and he won a Lark Hill barrier trial over 1050m on June 2.  Her weanling is a colt by A Lot (USA) and she was covered again by the Westbury Park resident in November.

Westbury sold Blindfolded for $65,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Winter Sale.  “He’s a ripping type by star stallion Playing God from a mare who won $286,000 in Sydney,” Dan Pearce said after signalling the winning bid.  “He’s physically impressive and moves beautifully.”