With form around some of the leading 3yos of this season, Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s 3yo Harry Angel (IRE) colt Buggsy defeated his stablemate to win the $240,000 G3 MVRC Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Stakes placed at 2, a narrow fourth at G3 level two starts back before a sixth last start in the G2 Danehill Stakes, the colt has always shown stakes ability and in the small field of six jumped away the second elect with Craig Williams in the saddle.
From the middle of the line, the colt wasn’t pushed to go forward, settling with just one behind him as Half Pipe went forward to lead.
Williams then took the initiative to come across the back of the field, heading closer towards the rail where he was well within a striking position behind the leader.
As the Cindy Alderson trained race favourite Valaroso started to challenge Half Pipe, it looked as if the pair would fight it out and Buggsy would be an unlucky third.
Persisting for a run along the rail, Williams hit the lead as the field passed the 100m mark, holding off his stablemate The Speed Machine who had clear running coming down the outside, to win by a long head.
Finishing a long neck back in third was Valaroso who weakened late.
Red Anchor Stakes | Buggsy Buggsy will last! @MickPriceRacing win the Red Anchor for the first time as a combination with this talented son of Harry Angel ?? ?? Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy https://t.co/pWK4Xy8L9w
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 24, 2026
“The second Craig (Williams) hopped off the horse last start he said ‘Red Anchor, three weeks’”, said co-trained Michael Kent Jnr.
“The blinkers went on and I thought it was very gutsy. I have to ask Craig but at the half mile he veered in and overreacted badly. Very messy there for several strides but he was very tough up the fence. That was great.
“We knew he’d like the straight and we thought he was well placed. The race did fall away a little bit, to be frank. The horse deserved that.
“He’s been thereabouts and back into premier form. He was only beaten three-lengths by the best colt in The Next Episode.
“He was good. First time at 1200. He is a very fast horse. Weren’t so sure on his stamina but he toughed it out really well and nearly got him. He can keep going, he’s a nice horse, too.”
Having been buoyed by his last start effort, jockey Craig Williams was pleased to see the effort of the colt.
“First time in race conditions with blinkers on,” said Williams. “Early on he was in a nice rhythm and spotted on outside of him and put his head up.”
“Just ran across horses’ heels and I thought, ‘oh God, that is a no go zone’. Then he got back and he was under pressure. He had the horses to stalk in front. Up on the inside was fine. Went to the front and got a bit of pressure.
“He started wandering, looking for his mates as he can’t see them with the blinkers on. It still was a good, tough, determined win today.
“The track is perfect from Liam O’Keefe and the team for what they are dealing with but this horse goes on wet ground as well. It doesn’t really affect him. He’s a warrior, a tough horse, that’s for sure.”
With three wins and a place from six starts, the colt has taken his earnings to just shy of $300,000, the same price his trainers went to secure him at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale from the draft of Hannover Lodge.
Bred by Bamboo Bloodstock’s Aaron Bott, the son of Harry Angel was initially offered through Evergreen Stud’s Book 2 draft at the Magic Millions yearling sale when purchased for $80,000 purchase for Flying Start Syndications and Pinhook Bloodstock International (FBAA) before heading to the Ready2Race sale.
The first stakes winner out of the Foxwedge mare Mrs Severina, a half-sister to the G2-winning Brave Song, Buggsy comes from a prolific black type family which includes G1 winners Cool Archie, Bravery and Galaxy Star, as well as G2 winners Media, Sentimental Legend, Perfect Jewel, Noire, Timbourina, and many more.
Mrs Severina has an unnamed 2yo Star Turn filly, a yearling by colt by Better Than Ready and unfortunately there will be no foal this season after missing to Newhaven Park’s Cool Aza Beel (NZ).
Buggsy became the 25th international stakes winner for Darley’s Harry Angel whose headline horses include G1 winners Tom Kitten, War Machine, Private Harry and recent Rupert Clarke Stakes victor Angel Capital.
Standing this season at a fee of $88,000 (inc. GST), Harry Angel covered his second largest southern hemisphere book last season with the foals from 165 coverings arriving this season.
