Adrian Murray’s sprinter found the Flying Five a touch too sharp.
Trainer Adrian Murray thinks Bucanero Fuerte will return to form in next month's Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot, for he believes that the colt can get back to the sort of trip he performs well over six furlongs at least and that is the distance at which his best form has been achieved. Like many of his connections, he hopes returning to familiar territory will rekindle the spark that used to be evident in his star sprinter.
Bucanero Fuerte delivered a solid start to his 2024 off the back of Lacken Stakes at Naas when he was able to make all the running for him to hold off Jessica Harrington's Givemethebeatboys by a head for his third Group-class win, though that victory would appear to have come on the back of a summer break and two run-of-the-mill runs.
With two discouraging the fourth-and-a-half-length sixth behind shock winner Montassib in Haydock's Sprint Cup earlier this month and the seventh in the Flying Five at the Curragh-Murray has a bit of a puzzle to solve. But he remains optimistic that the test at Ascot may finally bring Bucanero Fuerte the conditions to rediscover winning ways.
BUCANERO FUERTE 💜Makes a winning return to take the @Goffs1866 G3 Lacken Stakes @NaasRacecourse under @DavidEgan99 for @AMurrayRacing.
Well done to the whole team @Robsonadeaguiar @bloodst_aguiar 🙌 pic.twitter.com/QckGMpWkTe
— Amo Racing Ltd (@amoracingltd) May 19, 2024
Reflecting on the Curragh disappointment, Murray said that dropping back to the five-furlong trip wasn't right for the colt. "The Flying Five was a bit sharp for him. He was off, and he was never really in his comfort zone," Murray said. "He's stepping back up to six furlongs now, and six will probably be the focus. That distance should suit him much better."
Of course, Bucanero Fuerte is priced at 33-1 with bookmakers to win the prestigious Group One contest on October 19, and the Battaash runner will be given a short break before returning to training in preparation for the Ascot test. For Murray, Champions Day represents a vital opportunity for his charge to prove he still belongs among the elite sprinters. "The six will be more his trip, and Champions Day will probably be it for him now," Murray added with a touch of optimism.
As well proven as Bucanero Fuerte is at the highest level, Murray is also looking to the future, and one of his up-and-comers is Hill Road, a two-year-old colt by the American sire Quality Road. Hill Road impressed when making his debut at Leopardstown in August, storming home by five lengths. So, high expectations were set for his next run; however, things went wrong when tested at Group One level in the National Stakes at the Curragh, as he ended up seventh, well behind the winner, Scorthy Champ.
Murray, however, is not very worried about the setback and feels that the juvenile needs time to grow and develop his strength. "He is grand, but he did go backward in the race, so we're going to give him a break," the trainer said. "He's still a bit weak, and he needs more time to strengthen up before we push him again. We have nothing penciled in for him yet, and we'll see how he progresses over the next few weeks." Another promising youngster in Murray's yard is Arizona Blaze, set to be readied for what could quite simply be considered a big international test. The two-year-old goes directly to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on November 1.
There is much excitement coming from Murray himself with Arizona Blaze on the big stage as this talented sprinter looks to make an impact at one of the sport's most prominent global events. All eyes will be on Bucanero Fuerte as October approaches, and a return to six furlongs at Ascot might just bring the winner of four of his first five races back into contention. With both old campaigners and emerging young horses in his care, Adrian Murray's stable looks set for an exciting autumn.
