Trainer Patrick Payne is in a quandary with his promising galloper Buccleuch.
The four-year-old has gained a start in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1440m) at Caulfield on Sunday but is also the topweight in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi (1600m) at Mornington the day prior.
Payne does not like racing his horses outside of their handicap and Buccleuch is an 86-rated galloper racing in a benchmark 84 race at Mornington.
However, at Caulfield Buccleuch, with that 86 rating, is up against War Machine, a 109 rater, and receiving only 2kg in weight under the set-weights and penalties conditions of Sunday’s race.
Buccleuch has returned from a successful operation for a wind ailment to win twice at Sandown over 1400m.
Payne said the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 could be a lovely race for the gelding, however the trainer fears his rating will be too low to get into that race.
“We had the tie back surgery with him and it’s been very successful,” Payne said.
“We were pleasantly surprised with how it went as he was always a handy horse.
“He was working really well at home, but you need to see what happens when they go to the races and come under pressure.
“He’s an 86 horse now and most horses if they get to 80, they don’t fluke it, but it’s going to be difficult for him now.
“He was entered for the Testa Rossa on Sunday, but I wasn’t that keen to run him out of his handicap, so I’d prefer to go to Mornington and then we’ll look to do something clever after Saturday.
“The Toorak could be a lovely race, but I think his rating is too low and I hate racing them out of their handicap, but there are some nice Listed, Group 3 races down the track if he puts his hand up.”
Payne said there was still plenty of time for Buccleuch to reach a higher grade.
To date, Buccleuch has raced nine times for five wins and a little over $300,000 in prize money.
“He’s only a spring four-year-old, he’s still got plenty of time,” Payne said.
“He’ll be a better a four-year-old in the autumn and again as a five-year-old, so there is no panic from me.”
