Wyong preview: Trainer Kristen Buchanan is looking forward to see Gardenzio step up in trip on his favoured home track

Following a solid first-up run, trainer Kristen Buchahan is looking forward to seeing what Gardenzio can do over a more suitable distance on his home track.

Gardenzio is suited stepping up in distance second-up on his home track. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Kristen Buchanan knew the 1000m was going to be much too short for the resuming Gardenzio but was thrilled with his effort and is looking forward to see him step out over a more suitable trip second-up.

The five-year-old had an enforced break after bleeding in his Wyong trial last June and made his comeback on his home track on New Year’s Eve when a three length fifth behind Welcome Gypsy.

“I thought his first-up run was excellent given how long he was out of action and he only had the one trial leading into it,” said Buchanan.

“He got spat out a bit on the corner and really didn’t get beaten too far.

“It was a nice starting point unless you give them a heap of trials to start off over further but I didn’t want to do that with him.

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“We elected to start off over the shorter distance and let him find the line.

“He was a bit closer than I expected him to be off the basis of his last preparation over 1400m and 1600 metres.

“Had he not been run out on the corner, he would have finished a little closer again.”

Gardenzio is one of the leading chances in the Royal Hotel Wyong Midway Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1350m) with talented apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald again on board.

“I think the step up to 1350 metres will be just perfect for him,” she said.

“He has come through it in good order. He is feeling quite fresh and well and he loves racing here at Wyong.”

Buchanan also has Epicus in the same race and while she isn’t too concerned by the wet track for Gardenzio, it’s a different story the stablemate.

Epicus has a win and two placings from five starts on soft ground but has failed in two starts on the heavy.

“I don’t mind running Gardenzio on a rain affected track. I would prefer it not be heavy but he will cope with the sting out of the ground,” she said.

“In my opinion, Epicus is a dry tracker so he is my worry for the wet. Soft is okay but I’m concerned with a heavy track.

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“In saying that, the times he has been in wet tracks, has been in solid company too so maybe I’ve made that judgement unfairly.”

The son of Capitalist has pleased Buchanan with his two runs this campaign when fifth at Wyong behind Miss Checkoni and fourth to Mogwai at Kembla.

“I thought his run at Kembla was huge coming from last,” she said.

Buchanan’s third runner for the day is lightly-raced filly Brutal Belle in the Wyong Leagues Group Provincial 2&3YO Maiden Plate (1200m).

The daughter of Doncaster Mile winner Brutal is still a work in progress but showed a good sprint late when third behind Their Finest Hour first-up at Coffs Harbour albeit racing greenly.

“She went great at Coffs Harbour,” Buchanan said.

“She never got off the bridle but when Lauren (Van Tijn) pulled the whip in her left hand, the horse really darted back to towards the inside and probably threw the race away.

“The way she accelerated through was terrific but she was just going sideways at the same time.

“That’s just greenness by a young horse still working out what it’s all about.

“She is still learning how to race tractably but I don’t think this field is overly strong.

“She is genuine and I really like her.”