Juvenile Summary: Buccleuch is bound for bigger things as he shows his class in the Taj Rossi

Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos

Buccleuch dominant in Taj Rossi Series Final

Buccleuch (Peltzer) proved far too strong in the $175,000 Listed Taj Rossi Series Final for the juveniles, relishing the testing 1600-metre trip to score an emphatic victory. The progressive gelding travelled like a stayer in the making, powering away to win by just over three lengths.

At his previous start, Buccleuch had defeated Arcora (Justify {USA}), and it was that rival who led the field up on Saturday, with Heiwana Tamashi (Tagaloa) sitting outside the pace. Meanwhile, Buccleuch settled back in around seventh position, but punters had little cause for concern. When he loomed into the race, he did so with authority, sweeping past his rivals and clearing out for a dominant win.

Bermondsey (Hanseatic) finished strongly from back in the field to claim second, while Arcora boxed on gamely for third after setting the tempo.

It was a strong staying performance, and co-trainer Michelle Payne was full of praise for her colt’s effort.

“He’s just still learning what it’s all about,” she said.

“He got a bit keen, I don’t think they were going overly fast up front, which probably makes his win a little bit better.

“Just a lovely horse, he’s always showed us really nice potential.”

Payne believes Buccleuch will be even better with time, suggesting his best might come during the autumn.

“He (Patrick) thinks he might be a bit of a horse better for the autumn, rather than the spring,” Michelle said.

“He’s been on, I didn’t want to say it before the race, a bit of a working holiday through the wintertime, and if he could pick something up along the way, even better.

“He’s doing it now nicely against the winter class 2-year-olds, but he might be a bit left behind in the early 3-year-old days.

“But he’s only doing what’s been asked of him.”

Pedigree Information: Bred and retained to race by the Tait family, Buccleuch was foaled and raised at Twin Hills Stud, which stands his sire Peltzer. A dual Group winner by So You Think (NZ), Peltzer celebrates Buccleuch as his first stakes winner.

The colt hails from a classy international family. He is the fourth foal from Golden Fastnet (Fr) (Fastnet Rock), a dual winner in France who was also Listed placed. She is a half-sister to Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), a Group 3 and Listed winner in France who also placed in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

Since foaling Buccleuch, Golden Fastnet has produced a yearling colt by Hallowed Crown, and a weanling filly by Prized Icon, before she sadly died in November last year.

Jimmy Recard shows a sharp turn of foot when needed

Jimmy Recard continued the excellent juvenile run for Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible, he has sired 13 individual 2-year-old winner this season. Impressively, five of those are stakes winners, headlined by outstanding Group 1 winning colt Vinrock.

There was plenty of early action in the $150,000 Next Gen Sprinters Series Final. The favourite Bacash (Cosmic Force) rolled forward in the straight-course contest, settling on speed alongside Job Done (Snitzel) and Angel Ladder (North Pacific). Meanwhile, jockey Jamie Melham had Jimmy Recard travelling sweetly just behind the pace, but with nowhere to go.

As Bacash kicked strongly and Cloisters (Frosted {USA}) charged along the inside, Melham found clear running a furlong out. Once in the clear, Jimmy Recard exploded with a sharp turn of foot to overhaul Bacash and score by 0.25l.

“That horse just made my job very easy today, he didn’t feel like a 2-year-old having its third start, he feels like he’s been around 20 times before,” said Jamie Melham.

“I didn’t have to blow too much, which is nice. I’m a little bit unfit but at least the horse was good enough.” Melham commented after recently returning from a winter holiday.

“He was actually quite sharp today. He didn’t look sharp at his last start, but I was a bit worried that he only had 200 metres, I thought he’d need further than that,” she said.

“He was sharp today and he surprised me. He’s a nice horse.”

Sales Information: Jimmy Recard was a $350,000 purchase by Bennett Racing and Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Pedigree Information: He is the fourth foal out of the handy filly Aquamosa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}), a dual winner over 1100 and 1400 metres, who also placed in the G3 Taranaki 2-year-old Classic as a juvenile.

There is further depth in the pedigree. His third dam Ajfan (USA) (Woodman {USA}) was Group 1-placed in both the Ascot Fillies’ Mile and the Thousand Guineas in Great Britain, and went on to produce ten winners at stud.

His second dam Adalia (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn) was a two-time winner and is a half-sister to Singapore Champion Big Maverick (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).

Since foaling Jimmy Recard, Aquamosa has produced an I Am Invincible yearling filly and continued the ‘Vinny’ theme with a Hellbent weanling filly. She is due to foal again to Hellbent this spring.

Raging Force stamps his class at Rosehill

If Raging Force (Cosmic Force) wasn’t considered a potential spring candidate before Saturday’s race, he certainly is now. Following a stunning midweek win at Kensington late last month, the progressive colt confirmed his quality with a dominant performance at Rosehill, bursting clear for an impressive two lengths victory.

Raging Force jumped well, but jockey Tommy Berry opted to take a sit, keen to demonstrate the colt wasn’t a one-trick pony. Lull (Exceed And Excel) pushed forward to lead, with Raging Force tracking closely in behind, while Just Awesome (Written Tycoon) sat outside the leader.

Horseshoe Hill (All Too Hard) loomed dangerously as they rounded the bend, but as soon as Berry found clear running, Raging Force let down powerfully. He surged to the lead and drew away with authority. Horseshoe Hill chased gamely for second, while Lull boxed on solidly to finish third, nearly five lengths adrift of the winner.

“He was very impressive again and more importantly, he would have learned a lot from that,” said assistant trainer Aaron Lau.

“He took a bit of cover and he won't be able to just walk out and lead every single race, but he switched off nicely and it was a patient ride by Tommy and good to get the job done.

“He's got a great attitude. He's got a lovely big action on him. He's probably better on top of the ground as well, but he's very progressive and exciting going forward.

“We just wanted to see him come here today and do it. It's all well and good winning at the midweeks, but coming on a Saturday and putting on a performance like that, you can really sort of map ahead going forward.”

Sales Information: Raging Force was purchased by Darby Racing for $150,000 from the draft of Mullaglass Stud at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Pedigree Information: Ragig Force is the first foal out of Miss Loren (Stryker), a 1200 metre winner who was also placed in the Listed Debutant Stakes. While the page lacks deep black type, Raging Force may yet enhance its credentials. Miss Loren is a half-sister to seven individual winners, including Andamooka Gem (Quest For Fame {GB}), who won seven races, including one at metropolitan level in South Australia.

Since foaling Raging Force, Miss Loren has produced a yearling colt by Captivant, a weanling colt by Zousain, and is due to foal again to Zousain this October.