Bigger and better things beckon Thebudgiesmugla after his determined victory in the A$160,000 Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding has risen rapidly through the grades, with Saturday’s victory being his fifth from just 10 career starts. He has now earned just under A$230,000 in stakes, and there appears to be plenty more in store for the five-year-old and his Darby Racing ownership syndicate.
Thebudgiesmugla was sent out as a $3 favourite on Saturday and delivered in the hands of jockey Josh Parr. After settling in second for most of the way around the Randwick circuit, he pounced on the front-runner Thrice and took command at the top of the straight.
But fellow New Zealand-bred Casual Connection went with him and threw down a fierce challenge through the last 200m of the race. The pair drew two lengths clear of the field to fight out a tight finish, with Thebudgiesmugla hanging tough to win by a half-head.
“He's a Darby Racing horse, they're always tough and they always fight,” Baker said.
“It was a good effort. He was probably going to be vulnerable late, going up to 2400m with the big weight (59.5kg), and I think we can look at better options. He's a really good stayer in the making, and it was good to see him win.”
Baker is considering a tilt at the Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.
“We'll definitely look at it,” he said. “I think the further you go, the better he gets, and he loves the wet tracks.”
Saturday’s performance made a favourable impression on Parr.
“He has performed really well here today,” Parr said. “I was quietly confident coming here, although I must admit I was hoping it would be a little bit wetter. But he got conditions that did suit and he's put up a really brave effort.”
Raced by Darby Racing, Thebudgiesmugla was a private purchase from New Zealand where he won two races for original trainer Jo Rathbone.
Rathbone paid just $3,000 for the son of Redwood, who was sold via gavelhouse.com as a broken-in gelding.
Bred by Bradbury Park, Thebudgiesmugla is out of the winning Keeper mare Hot Pants.
Thebudgiesmugla has now won three of his six starts for Baker, all of them over 2400m. – NZ Racing Desk.
