Buckets Ridge continued the winning run of Amelia Park at Belmont on Saturday ahead of another big weekend in the Eastern States for Peter Walsh and the team at Vasse.
Amelia Park’s 2022 Perth Magic Millions graduates Toropa (Toronado) and In Good Order (American Pharoah) doubled up at Belmont last Saturday week before Buckets Ridge (Pride Of Dubai) did best in a duel with his more favoured stablemate Captain Pluto (Savabeel) in the Morley Growers Market Hcp (1650m).
Buckets Ridge (Photo: Western Racepix) was also knocked down at the 2022 Swan Valley Sale for $75,000 and Saturday’s win sent his earnings to $265,000 with the inclusion of $38,000 in Westspeed Bonuses. He was racing second-up after a classic campaign highlighted by a LR Melvista Stakes (2200m) victory in March.
That prep finished with two-length second to A Lot Of Good Men (A Lot) in the G2 WATC Derby (2400m) and he will be a force this summer in a race like the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day.
“I thought he could still be a run away with the 60kg today but he’s all class,” co-trainer Alana Williams said. “His coat is coming through and there’s so much upside he’s deserves a chance to keep aiming higher.”
Buckets Ridge was bred by Walsh in partnership with Brian Bradley and John Cipriani. His dam Reveille (High Chaparral) won three races up to a mile at Ascot and there’s already a Perth Cup winner in the family going back to King Canute (King Of Kings) in 2004.
The Amelia Park team will turn their attention to Melbourne this Saturday when Bosustow steps out in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m). The Blue Point colt will be fancied after an excellent second in the LR McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last weekend.
“We were very happy with that first-up run over a distance that we thought was a bit short of his best,” co-trainer Rob Archibald said. “But Blake (Shinn) got off and told us he felt sharper this prep. He’s come through fine and the Guineas Prelude will be a good fork in the road to decide whether he keeps going up in trip or whether we come back.”
Walsh kept a share after selling Bosustow to the Rosemont Stud Alliance for $900,000 at the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions. He’s a half-brother to Group 1 mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) and has opened a $6 second-favourite for the Guineas Prelude behind Angel Capital (Harry Angel).
