In honour of a hundred years of racing at Naas, free entry was offered to over 2,000 attendees who were given a front-row seat to Bucanero Fuerte’s triumphant warm up for the impending Royal Ascot. Bucanero Fuerte, last year’s Phoenix Stakes champion, is a standout in Adrian Murray’s training programme situated in Westmeath Co. This operation has steadily emerged as a leading name in flat racing in recent years.
Kia Joorabchian, the primary owner of Bucanero Fuerte, made the news this week when he withdrew his horses, including the esteemed King Of Steel, from Roger Varian, the Newmarket trainer. Despite his history of frequent change, Joorabchian has kept Murray and his Brazilian assistant, Robson Aguiar, as key members of his AMO Racing team.
Their collaboration has produced notable results, such as a win at Royal Ascot and a Group One victory for Bucanero Fuerte, who had to give his race-ready competitors a 3lb penalty in the Group Three Goffs Lacken Stakes.
David Egan, AMO’s top jockey, teamed up with Bucanero Fuerte for the first time this summer. Despite facing early competition from Alabama, he successfully guided the colt to the viewing stand rail.
The favourite, Givemethebeatboys, came close to besting his competitor, but fell short by a head. This was an ideal preparation for the Commonwealth Cup on a card promoted as Ascot Trials Day, an event that previously delivered two winners at the globally renowned meeting.
Murray characterised the performance as a result of “hard work.” In agreement with him, Aguiar anticipates Bucanero Fuerte’s further progress at Ascot, pointing out that the horse wasn’t pressed hard and will benefit from the race. Aguiar added that his horse exhibits incredible speed and endurance, which will be his strategy for the upcoming six furlongs at Ascot.
On a splendid afternoon that signalled a taste of the imminent summer, there were clear signs of Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle team shifting into high gear. Ryan Moore took the reins a week after Wayne Lordan claimed a quadruple win for O’Brien at Leopardstown and promptly claimed the first trio of races.
Following in the footsteps of previous fillies, Fairy Godmother aims to triumph in the Coolmore Sprint and subsequently advance to find success at the Albany Stakes at Ascot. She previously bested Sparkling Sea in a late surge at Naas, and her narrow victory underlined the potential of these two fillies.
“Ideally, she would have been triumphant day one, though, she was quite raw and clearly, unexpected things can unfold with a two-year-old on their debut. The filly who defeated her is evidently extremely competent,” O’Brien admitted.
“Even though the pace was slow today, we intentionally held her back to educate her and it was vital for us to work out our strategy for Ascot. According to Ryan, she’s highly accomplished, she mastered six furlongs effectively, and as we saw, will also excel at seven.”
Next on the agenda for Treasure Isle, who surpassed Saratoga Special despite being a novice, is either the Windsor Castle or the Norfolk Stakes. Aesop’s Fables will also strive for five furlongs in the King Charles III Stakes, previously known as the King’s Stand, following his victory in the Sole Power Sprint.
The recent wins come as a well-timed bolster to the Ballydoyle giant, who found the previous two weeks of English and French Guineas less favourable. O’Brien has expressed that River Tiber, who saw success at Naas and Ascot last year, will lead the charge in the quest for a 13th Irish 2,000 victory.
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup victor, Unquestionable, might join him and there’s the possibility for Mountain Bear to accompany them. Opera Singer may have both Buttons and Everlasting as competitors in the 1,000 Guineas, whilst Auguste Rodin is preparing for the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
In the Owenstown Stakes, another Listed battle that took place on Sunday, Mutasarref, who was the topweight, battled through challenges during the race to ultimately surpass Special Wan in the final phase.
Meanwhile, Chicago Critic has set his sights on the Britannia Handicap in Ascot, after Ben Coen launched a striking assault from the flank to clinch victory in the mile handicap.
Victorious trainer, Johnny Murtagh had an interesting commentary about Chicago Critics’s performance. “Initially, I thought he favoured softer grounds, however his performance in the grass trial last week with Ben impressed us immensely setting new expectations. Since his previous run, he’s also been gelded, so that might be a contributing factor to his victory as well,” he expressed.
In a turn of events, Shane Foley, who had a tumble in an earlier race, redeemed himself by securing a win in the concluding contest on Serialise.