Buenos Noches set for G2 Expressway Stakes return

Matthew Smith is firmly focused on capturing an elusive Group One win with high-class sprinter Buenos Noches, confirming feature sprints in Melbourne and Sydney are on the table.

Still an entire, winning a major would secure the four-year-old’s future at stud, and he showed he wasn’t far off arguably the best sprinter in the country when getting to within a half-length of Imperatriz at his spring swansong in the Champions Stakes at Flemington.

Buenos Noches takes his first step back in a 900m Rosehill barrier trial on Thursday, ahead of his resumption in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 17.

He will then head south for the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9.

“We will kick him off on the 17th (of February) in the Expressway and he will most likely then go down to Melbourne for the Newmarket,” Smith told Sky Racing radio.

“He will come back to Sydney then and finish the campaign in Sydney.

“We are definitely focused on winning Group Ones.”

Smith said connections had fielded some inquiries from studs regarding Buenos Noches, but no deals had been made.

However, he expected that to change if the horse could claim a major, given most of the other top sprinters of his age group, such as 2022 Everest winner Giga Kick, were geldings.

“We’ve had a few nibbles at him,” Smith said.

“He’s obviously a really good horse and probably the best sprinting colt in Australia – I don’t think there are any other colts of his age as good as him.

“We’ve just got to get the Group One on the board and then I’m sure the studs will come looking for him.”

Nash Rawiller will partner Buenos Noches in the Rosehill Group trial, which also includes Tulloch Lodge colt Red Resistance, along with four stakes performers from the Chris Waller stable led by Rosehill Guineas winner Lindermann.