Peter Walsh and his team at Amelia Park have experienced some mixed emotions in the last week or two leading up to The Pinnacles at Ascot.
Buckets Ridge (Pride Of Dubai) won the LR Northam Cup (2000m) and Royal Toronado (Toronado) notched a Saturday first at Ascot, however, the home-town results couldn’t quite salve some close calls during Melbourne Cup week at Flemington.
Amelia Park homebred Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) was as brave as ever but was nailed late by Kiwi champion Atishu (Savabeel) in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day. And her younger half-brother Bosustow (Blue Point) also found one better when runner-up in the Amanda Elliott (1400m) on Cup day.
Buckets Ridge (4g Pride Of Dubai – Reveille by High Chaparral) was bred by Walsh in partnership with Brian Bradley and John Cipriani and has opened a $3.40 favourite for the LR Luckygray Stakes (1800m) at Ascot this Saturday.
The trio sold him for $75,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions and they kept a share in a syndicate that also includes brothers Craig and Brett Ridge who named him after their father Graeme.
Photo / Western Racepix
Graeme Ridge, who died in 2020, was a racing fanatic known to everyone as Buckets. His sons honoured that legacy when Walsh, a long-time friend of the family, offered them a share in the son of Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry).
The Coolmore Stud stallion is flying this season with Group 1 winning mares Bella Nipotina and Pride Of Jenni.
Buckets Ridge could also be given a chance at the elite level during The Pinnacles with nominations for the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and G1 Northerly Stakes (1800m). The G2 Perth Cup (2400m) is another option on New Year’s Day.
“Dad loved Perth Cup Day and winning it would be fairytale,” Craig Ridge said in a recent interview with Racing WA. “It’s surreal knowing that every time we are looking at what Buckets is doing, it’s a great reminder of Dad.”
Meanwhile, Amelia’s Jewel will back up in the G1 Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday and Bosustow is likely to embark on a Gold Coast campaign for the Rosemont Stud Alliance. “He has terrific upside as a colt,” Rosemont manager Ryan McEvoy said. “We’re looking at the (RL) Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1400m) in January.”
Walsh kept a share after selling Bosustow to Rosemont for $900,000 at the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions. “We were very keen to buy him for the Alliance,” McEvoy added. “He’s a beautiful moving colt with the right attitude and pedigree.”
