Buccleuch bolts in with Taj Rossi Series Final

Buccleuch delivered a dominant performance to take out the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m), continuing the strong tradition of success for the team of Patrick and Michelle Payne and jockey Billy Egan.

The heavily backed $1.45 favourite with bookmakers settled midfield before Egan asked for an effort, with Buccleuch responding stylishly to win by 3-1/4 lengths over Bermondsey ($31), while Arcora ($4.40) finished in third.

The win marked Patrick Payne’s third in the race and a second for Egan, who teamed up with Cherry Tortoni for victory in the 2020 edition of the same race.

Trainer Michelle Payne said the talented two-year-old still had a lot to learn and would likely be aimed at an autumn campaign next year rather than taking on the spring features too early.

“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.”

Jockey Billy Egan was full of praise for Buccleuch, noting the ease with which he dispatched his rivals.

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