Buggsy's potential to be tested after successful return

Mick Price is not yet convinced Buggsy is in the top echelon of sprinting three-year-olds, but the colt is set to be given his opportunity to prove his mettle following a first-up triumph on Saturday.

The Harry Angel colt outlasted his competitors in the $150,000 Chef's Hat Handicap (1000m) at Sandown.

While the race did not hold Black Type status, it did feature the capable Sydney visitor Incognito. Price acknowledges that the horse needs to improve significantly to compete with the best of his age group, but feels he has earned a shot.

"Obviously he's been Stakes-placed when he was on the way down and now you've got all these nice races in front of him and he is a colt," Price commented. "You've got to go that way; Poseidon, Danehill, Coolmore."

"I'm not saying he's going to be good enough, because we are on a soft track and it's off-Stakes form, but that's the way he's got to go."

Price, who trains alongside Michael Kent Jnr, possesses a reliable indicator for sprinting three-year-olds in Guest House, the victor of last season's Golden Slipper.

After being challenged in the closing stages, Buggsy ($3.20 fav) showed tenacity to win by a short-head from Jacaranda ($11). Calamari Ring ($13) finished a further half-neck back in third place. Observers noted the favourite's strong fightback to secure the win.

Saturday's contest marked Buggsy's first appearance since finishing third in the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes (1200m) on April 11. His sole prior start was a debut victory over 1000m at the same track.

Jockey Craig Williams, who rode Buggsy to his initial win, partnered him again on Saturday. Williams suggested the colt still has room for development, which fuels optimism for his future performances.

"He's still thinking about other things, but when he turns into a racehorse it's great," Williams said. "He's got nice ability and he's got very good determination."

Buggsy's win was the second leg of a successful treble for Williams, achieved within the first six races. He also secured a consecutive win by partnering the Clayton Douglas-trained Final Moment, following an earlier victory on Nearco Frod in a 2400m race.

Considering the promising performance, the betting markets will likely see significant shifts for Buggsy's next start, with online bookmakers already setting their racing odds.