A promising stayer, Thebudgiesmugla, has proven the decision to bypass the Brisbane Cup for a Listed event at Rosehill was the correct one, maintaining its flawless 2400-metre record.
Trainer Bjorn Baker, currently in England overseeing the Royal Ascot campaign of sprinter Overpass, selected Saturday’s The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) in Sydney, feeling it represented a better pathway towards the Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 4.
The Baker stable believes Thebudgiesmugla is exhibiting sufficient potential for significant targets next season, mirroring the trajectory of last year’s Caloundra Cup winner, Half Yours, who went on to compete in the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
“We needed to see him win it, and we needed to see him do it on top of the ground if he’s going to be competitive in better races,” stated Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton.
“We’d like to go to the Caloundra Cup with him. It’s in three weeks, 2400, good prizemoney race. It’s also a good form race for a few other races later in the year. Half Yours won that race, so we’ll head the same way.”
Thebudgiesmugla, which began its career in New Zealand, has recorded four victories in Australia, all over the 2400-metre distance.
On Saturday, with Dylan Gibbons in the saddle, the commanding favourite settled close to the leaders, responded beautifully to the urgings, and finished strongly on the outside to beat Black Run ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length. So You Are ($8.50) was a further half-head adrift.
Hilton admitted to feeling anxious as the field approached the turn and the pace quickened, but confirmed that Gibbons was aware of the horse’s finishing power.
“I was getting itchy feet coming to the corner and willing Dylan to get going on him, because we know he takes time to wind up,” Hilton said. “But he really fights when he gets there. He doesn’t really dash but he keeps grinding. He’s still really raw, and I think there is plenty to come.”
Gibbons, who has guided Thebudgiesmugla to three of its four Australian wins, shares Hilton’s conviction that the five-year-old is capable of further improvement.
“He is built so athletic, he’s got the best attitude. He saves every penny, and he can be tough and outstay them all day,” Gibbons said.
While Baker was in London promoting Australian racing, Greg Radley of Sky Racing playfully suggested to Hilton that his boss might seize the opportunity for a photo op wearing budgie smugglers in front of Buckingham Palace.
“Don’t joke about it. You know he’ll do it,” Hilton replied with a chuckle.
The Caloundra Cup is now the clear objective, and betting sites are already offering competitive racing odds for Thebudgiesmugla’s upcoming starts.
