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| Staff Writer |
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Ocean Park (2012), So You Think (2010) and Northerly (2001) feature among the illustrious honour roll of this prestigious race, with all three going on to claim Cox Plate victories in the same season.
Buckaroo delivered a commanding performance to claim the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, providing another major success for Qatar Racing and their partners. The 5YO, now trained by Chris Waller, stormed clear of 11 rivals to win the 1800m contest by three and a half lengths under supremely confident Joao Moreira.
The gelded son of Fastnet Rock has thrived since relocating to Australia, building on his earlier success in the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick. His previous European form, when trained by Joseph O'Brien in Ireland, included two Listed victories and placed efforts in Group One company.
Speaking after the victory, Waller's assistant Charlie Duckworth highlighted the transformative effect of the gelding operation: "As a colt, he was actually too laid-back but now, as a gelding, he's actually got a bit of spring in his step and he's a bit more vibrant."
The 'Magic Man' Moreira was equally effusive: "It feels amazing, you know. That's what horseracing is about. When you get one up, the feeling doesn't get any better. Impressive the way he won, isn't it? He found himself a little bit too far back. But as the race disenrolled itself, it kind of got him into the race. When I turned for home on the outside, with him having great momentum, I was always confident he was going to get up."
Buckaroo, bred by The Roheryn Partnership at Tweenhills in Gloucester, represents a growing success story for his dam Roheryn. The Listed-winning Galileo mare has also produced promising stayer Middle Earth, who holds Melbourne Cup aspirations, while another offspring Kihavah was successful at Ayr on the same day. Her daughter Siege Of Troy recently caught the eye when third in a Stakes race in America.
Connections are now weighing up several prestigious targets for Buckaroo, including the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, with a potential tilt at the Melbourne Cup also under consideration. His emphatic victory suggests he will be a major force wherever he appears next.