Adrian Murray’s sprinter found the Flying Five a touch too sharp.
Trainer Adrian Murray is optimistic that stepping Bucanero Fuerte back up to six furlongs will unlock the colt's full potential in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on October 19. The talented Wootton Bassett three-year-old, who shone earlier in the season with a commanding Group win in the Phoenix Stakes, is poised to return to his best distance after recent performances over shorter trips.
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
Return to Form at Six Furlongs After a summer break, Bucanero Fuerte struggled with shorter sprint distances, finishing sixth in the Sprint Cup at Haydock and seventh in the Flying Five at the Curragh. However, Murray believes the return to six furlongs, a trip over which the colt secured multiple Pattern race victories, will suit him much better.
"The Flying Five was a bit sharp for him," Murray explained. "Six furlongs should be more his trip. Champions Day will probably be it for him now."
Young Stars on the Rise Murray is also managing the development of promising juvenile Hill Road, who dazzled on debut at Leopardstown in August but found Group One company too challenging in the National Stakes. The son of Quality Road will now be given time to strengthen before his next race.
"He ran with credit, but we’re going to give him a break to allow him to strengthen up," Murray said. "He needs more time, and we will assess his progress over the coming weeks."
Meanwhile, Murray confirmed that his exciting two-year-old prospect Arizona Blaze will head directly to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on November 1, bypassing other autumn engagements in favor of the prestigious U.S. event.
With Bucanero Fuerte aiming for redemption at Ascot and his juveniles showing promise, Murray has an exciting few months ahead on both sides of the Atlantic.
