Buccleuch added another chapter to the Paynes’ legacy in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m), surging to an emphatic win under Billy Egan at Flemington on Saturday.

Trained by Patrick Payne and owned in partnership with Michelle Payne, the two-year-old made it look easy as he came from midfield carrying 59kg to defeat Bermondsey ($31) by over three lengths. Arcora ($4.40) ran third, a further long neck behind.

It marked Payne’s third win in the race and Egan’s second, both also involved in the 2020 victory with Cherry Tortoni in the same colours. Buccleuch was well-backed into $1.45 with betting companies.

Michelle Payne suggested that connections may skip a heavy spring prep and focus on the 2026 autumn.

“He’s just still learning what it’s all about, he got a bit keen,” she said.

“But just a lovely horse who has always showed us really nice potential.

Patrick’s really keen on the autumn for him. He said he’s doing it now nicely against the winter sort of class two-year-olds, but he might be a bit left behind in the early three-year-old days, but look, he’s only doing what is asked of him.”

“He’s all class and a lovely galloper.”

Egan praised the youngster’s professionalism and compared him favourably to Cherry Tortoni, a subsequent Group 1 placegetter.

“He put a bit more of a margin on them than what Cherry Tortoni did when he won,” he said.

“I think the horse that ran second to Cherry Tortoni (Alcyone) was probably half-handy itself anyway.

He was probably a little happier with himself going into today’s race, so I just took a couple of strides to get him back under me, and then when he switched off, he just travelled like a winner the whole way.”