Winning the inaugural LR Luckygray Stakes (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday came with a bonus for David Harrison and his Trade Fair (GB) gelding Buster Bash.
His on-pace victory meant Buster Bash will back-up off a seven-day break in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m). He’s priced at $21 but Harrison isn’t overlooking the gelding’s chances in a race worth $1.50 million.
“He’s a good horse with a light weight (53kg) and, wherever he finishes, he will leave everything on the track.
“There are classier horses but he’s all heart and I wouldn’t underestimate him if he gets his own way in front.”
Buster Bash (Photo / Western Racepix) is from the penultimate crop of Trade Fair (GB) and is the 18th Stakes winner by the former Alwyn Park resident who died in March 2017.
He’s triple-handed in the Railway with Trix Of The Trade ($6.50) and Startrade ($51) also engaged on Saturday.
Alwyn Park owner John Andrew bred Buster Bash and he’s one of six winners to date from Disco Miss (Zeditave) who retired unraced for Turangga Farm owner-breeder Stuart Ramsey. Her British-bred dam Dance Play (The Minstrel) is a three-quarter-sister to G1 English Derby winner Secreto (Northern Dancer).
Andrew bought a bargain when he paid $4,500 for Disco Miss in 2014. The mare’s yearlings have returned over $200,000 and there’s more to come with a Gingerbread Man yearling filly and Jimmy Choux (NZ) colt on the ground at Serpentine.
Buster Bash has been her cheapest graduate after making just $10,000 at the 2019 Perth Magic Millions Winter Yearling Sale. Given time to mature, he won a Pinjarra maiden in July 2021 and goes into the Railway with 8 wins from 20 starts for earnings of $385,320.
Alwyn Park sire Maschino is also represented in the Railway with last-start LR Northam Cup (1600m) winner Marocchino. He’s a homebred for trainer Lou Luciani who won Railways with Island Morn (1994) and Hardrada (2003).
