Buccleuch brilliance begins big day for Team Payne
The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained two-year-old Peltzer gelding enjoyed a lovely ride under jockey Billy Egan and surged to an impressive 2 ¼ length victory.
Arcora flashed late to run second from Millennium Blade.
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Favourite Observer faded to run fifth after being pressured early in the 1420m race.
'I've ridden him through all his trials and races all the way through and he's always been improving, but he's never shown me a turn of foot like that,' Egan marvelled.
'He's always become a little unbalanced, a little leggy, and I thought he might be the type of horse that more maintains a gallop ... when he presented today he went straight past (Observer) like it was nailed to the fence, that took me really by surprise, so that's a really good win.'
Billy Egan after Buccleuch scored at Flemington Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images
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Patrick Payne won the corresponding Two-Year-Old Handicap with Cherry Tortoni in 2020 and then claimed the Taj Rossi Series Final.
Cherry Tortoni returned in the spring on a Victoria Derby path, ultimately placed fourth in the Group 1, and collected the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase on the way through.
Egan said Payne would make the right decisions around the spring potential for Buccleuch.
'Cherry Tortoni was very good, unbeaten as a two-year-old, this bloke has been a little slower to develop … but that win there probably peaked around one of Cherry's wins (at the same stage),' Egan said.
'Patty did the same thing with Cherry Tortoni, he won (in the winter) and had a short let up before spring, he's in the right hands, if anyone can do it, he can.'
Co-trainer Michelle Payne praised both Buccleuch and Egan's ride.
'Beautiful ride there by Billy Egan, he stepped a little bit slow and Billy was able to nurse him into a good position without giving away the spot he wanted,' Payne said.
'He's always been a really lovely type (Buccleuch) … progressed along beautifully and Patrick has always had a nice opinion of him.'
Payne stopped short of any race day predictions on potential targets going forward.
'Let the horse do the talking and (we'll) place him the best we can,' Payne said.
'He's doing everything asked of him.'
Egan completed a race-to-race double for the Payne siblings with Stop The Rock victorious in the 2000m Three-Year-Old Quality Handicap. Stablemates Verona Rupes and Frontline Action placed third and sixth respectively.
It was the start of a huge day for the training duo who landed wins with Bold Soul and Jimmy The Bear later in the card to chalk up a winning quartet on the program.
Gilbert Gardiner
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Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun.
@gilbertgardiner
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