Trainer Mick Price remains cautious about Buggsy’s standing among the elite sprinting three-year-olds, but the colt will have an opportunity to ascend after a decisive win on Saturday.
The son of Harry Angel demonstrated superior grit to overcome his rivals in the $150,000 Chef’s Hat Handicap (1000m) held at Sandown.
Although the race lacked Black Type status, it featured the competitive presence of Sydney visitor Incognito. Price acknowledged that Buggsy needs to elevate his performance significantly to contend with the top tier of his age group, but believes the colt has earned his chance.
“Obviously he’s been Stakes-placed when he was on the way down and now you’ve got all these nice races in front of him and he is a colt,” Price stated. “You’ve got to go that way; Poseidon, Danehill, Coolmore.”
“I’m not saying he’s going to be good enough, because we are on a soft track and it’s off-Stakes form, but that’s the way he’s got to go.”
Price, who co-trains with Michael Kent Jnr, has a strong benchmark for sprinting three-year-olds in Guest House, the winner of last season’s Golden Slipper, who is also under their care.
After being challenged in the final 200 metres, Buggsy ($3.20 fav) showed remarkable tenacity to secure a short-head victory over Jacaranda ($11), with Calamari Ring ($13) finishing a further half-neck back in third. Punters comparing the best horse racing betting apps witnessed the favourite fight back strongly to claim the win.
This was Buggsy’s first outing since his third-place finish in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1200m) on April 11. His previous start was a debut win over 1000m at the same venue.
Craig Williams, who had partnered Buggsy to his initial victory, was back in the saddle on Saturday. He commented that the colt still has developmental areas to address, which offers optimism for his future progression.
“He’s still thinking about other things, but when he turns into a racehorse it’s great,” Williams remarked. “He’s got nice ability and he’s got very good determination.”
Buggsy’s triumph constituted the second leg of a treble for Williams across the first six races. He also completed a consecutive win sequence aboard the Clayton Douglas-trained Final Moment, having earlier guided Nearco Frod to its fourth consecutive win in a 2400m staying race.
For those looking to get involved, the racing odds for upcoming feature races are already shaping up, with many Australian betting sites offering competitive markets.
