Thebudgiesmugla's perfect 2400m record continues with Rosehill win

Emerging staying prospect Thebudgiesmugla has vindicated the decision to forgo the Brisbane Cup in favour of a Listed race at Rosehill, maintaining its unblemished record over 2400 metres.

Trainer Bjorn Baker, currently overseas to oversee the Royal Ascot campaign of sprinter Overpass, opted for Saturday's The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) in Sydney, deeming it a more suitable stepping stone towards the Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 4.

The stable believes Thebudgiesmugla is showing enough promise to consider ambitious targets next season, following in the footsteps of last year's Caloundra feature winner, Half Yours, who went on to contest 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," Baker's racing manager, Luke Hilton, commented.

"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 commenced its racing career in New Zealand, has achieved four victories since arriving in Australia, all at the 2400-metre trip.

Positioned near the leaders by jockey Dylan Gibbons on Saturday, the heavily backed favourite settled beautifully in transit and surged home down the outside to defeat Black Run ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length. So You Are ($8.50) was a further half-head behind.

Hilton conceded he became anxious as the field rounded the bend, but stated that Gibbons was aware of the horse's finishing capabilities.

"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 partnered Thebudgiesmugla for three of its four Australian successes, shares Hilton's optimism regarding the five-year-old's potential.

"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, Sky Racing's Greg Radley humorously suggested to Hilton that his boss might capture a photo opportunity wearing budgie smugglers in front of Buckingham Palace.

"Don't joke about it. You know he'll do it," Hilton replied.

With the Caloundra Cup now firmly in sights, the online bookmakers are expected to offer competitive racing betting markets for Thebudgiesmugla's next start.