3 minute read

Bucanero Fuerte handed Adrian Murray a first Group 1 success when landing the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last season and his trainer is unsurprisingly looking forward to a Classic campaign with the colt.

Owned by AMO Racing, the son of Wootton Bassett finished a close third behind River Tiber in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes before a breakthrough Group victory in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh. Although successful over the same course and distance in the Phoenix Stakes, he struggled when third of four in the Group 1 National Stakes behind Henry Longfellow on his final run of the season.

Bucanero Fuerte could start the season in the 2000 Guineas, although connections are also tempted to remain over six furlongs.

"We couldn't be happier with him now. He did his first bit of work the other day and it was very, very good," said Adrian Murray.

"He's entered for the Guineas and it hasn't been decided yet whether he'll go or not, whether we go up in trip or stick to six or seven (furlongs), we'll see nearer the time.

"He's improved a lot in the last six or eight weeks and has gotten very strong, he's come in his coat and looks fantastic.

"It's hard to say what we'll do and he'll tell us, but if we were to go for the Guineas we might just go straight there.

"He turned out to be a super horse for us last year. He didn't run up to his best in the National Stakes, our horses were under a bit of a cloud at that stage, and he never travelled at all in the race – he wasn't the same horse that we'd seen before that.

"I'm very happy with him at the moment and hopefully he'll step up to the plate again this year."