Chris Waller and Tommy Berry combined with Buckaroo ($8.00) in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, fighting out the finish with stable companion Hinged ($5.00) to pick up his first Australian success.
The writing was on the wall after a strong first-up performance in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 24, where the son of Fastnet Rock closed within 3.5 lengths of Via Sistina.
The well-supported favourite Zardozi ($2.40) came through the same form-line and was given every opportunity to make an impression second-up, slotting into a midfield stalking position throughout under James McDonald.
Tommy Berry was positive on the eventual winner, however, bounding across to sit on the hammer of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Just Fine ($8.50) in the early portion of the race before persuading the five-year-old to give a bold kick at the top of the straight.
Buckaroo gave them the slip with 300m left to travel, with Hinged the only one making any impression as Nash Rawiller went searching for back-to-back features after claiming the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) the race prior.
It was a ding-dong go on the wire, but it was Buckaroo just getting the verdict in a tight finish to the 2024 Chelmsford Stakes.
2024 Chelmsford Stakes replay – Buckaroo
Chris Waller spoke post-race to discuss the victory and what’s next for the pair of Buckaroo and Hinged.
“The real top liners are at home today, but these horses deserve their time in the sun,” said Waller.
“There’s some good prize money on offer in the next few weeks, and they won’t have to clash with the better horses.
“I think Hill Stakes, Craven Plates, they’re million-dollar races, and that’s where first and second will be running. That’s where they’re heading.”
Tommy Berry was impressed with the victory of his mount and suggested the change of tactics to go forward being the major difference.
“Really good,” said Berry.
“He was a little bit colty out the back and he’s been slow away but he’s been gelded this prep and he’s really made a statement today.
“Chris [Waller] just said, ‘Look if you can get him to jump today, put him into the race and let him know it’s game on,’ and he was brilliant today, so he really deserved that win.
“I thought I just got him but I’m a bad judge, especially when you’ve got Nash breathing down your neck he just throws them over the line.”
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