Buckaroo welcomes Jye McNeil for Futurity Stakes return

Cox Plate placegetter Buckaroo will have jockey Jye McNeil back on board for his opening outing of the autumn series at Caulfield.

The gelding heads into the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, piloted by McNeil.

In the gelding's tally of 31 career starts, McNeil has only been aboard once, during the Group 1 Memsie Stakes last spring at the same venue and trip.

Buckaroo delivered an unexpected third to Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside in that event, followed by solid efforts for placings in the Underwood Stakes, Might And Power and Cox Plate – every one a Group 1 – before a poor showing in the Melbourne Cup.

Post-Memsie Stakes, in those subsequent four races, the ride switched between Blake Shinn, James McDonald, Mark Zahra and Craig Williams.

Prior to Saturday, Buckaroo has undertaken a pair of trials in Sydney and was at Caulfield Tuesday with McNeil riding.

"Last campaign I rode him first-up in the Memsie over the same distance and he surprised a few people by running really well," McNeil said.

"He was third behind Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside, and if he can put a run together like that, I think the team would be very happy.

"He seems fantastic in the work he did. I didn't work him going into last campaign, but he seems very well.

"I'm not sure how long I'll be partnering him but I'm looking forward to the opportunity on Saturday."

According to McNeil, Buckaroo won't mind if the track moves up from Good 4 by Saturday's racing.

"The track was on the firmer side on Tuesday morning, but we didn't do too much, just held him together, and he felt fine," McNeil said.

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