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| Staff Writer |
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Bucanero Fuerte is being readied for a tilt at next month's Gr.1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot, with trainer Adrian Murray confident the step back up to six furlongs will bring out the best in his stable star.
The Wootton Bassett colt, who burst onto the scene with a commanding victory in last year's Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes, has endured a mixed campaign in 2023. Kicking off with a gutsy win in the Gr.3 Lacken Stakes at Naas, the 3YO has since found life tougher at the highest level.
Following a summer break, Bucanero Fuerte failed to fire in the Gr.1 Sprint Cup at Haydock, finishing sixth behind the surprise victor Montassib. The Curragh handler was quick to regroup, sending his charge to the Gr.1 Flying Five just eight days later.
"The Flying Five was a bit sharp for him," Murray reflected. "He was off, he was never really in his comfort zone."
Now, all roads lead to Ascot on October 19, where Bucanero Fuerte will attempt to emulate the likes of Creative Force and Muhaarar, who both claimed the prestigious sprint in recent years. Murray is bullish about the return to six furlongs:
"Six furlongs should suit him. The six will be more his trip, should suit. Champions Day will probably be it for him now."
While Bucanero Fuerte flies the flag for the older horses, Murray is also nurturing some exciting two-year-old prospects. Hill Road, a son of American sire Quality Road, made a blistering debut at Leopardstown in August, romping home by five lengths.
The colt's inexperience showed when stepped up to Group One level in the National Stakes at the Curragh, finishing seventh behind Scorthy Champ. Murray is taking a patient approach with the youngster:
"He is grand," the trainer reported. "He did run with credit, just went backwards, so we are going to give him a break and give him a chance to strengthen up a little bit more."
Murray also confirmed that his talented juvenile Arizona Blaze will bypass further domestic engagements in favour of a tilt at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on November 1. The US$1 million contest at Santa Anita represents a significant target for the County Westmeath stable.
"We have nothing really pencilled in for him yet," Murray said of Hill Road's immediate future. "We will wait and see how he progresses over the next few weeks."
With Bucanero Fuerte leading the charge and a crop of promising two-year-olds waiting in the wings, the Murray yard is poised for an exciting conclusion to the 2023 season. All eyes will be on Ascot come Champions Day, where the pride of Westmeath will attempt to re-establish his credentials as one of Europe's premier sprinters.