Wyong preview: Kristen Buchanan chasing a second milestone in two days

Kristen Buchanan is set to notch special milestones in consecutive days with a couple of leading chances on her home track.

Trainer Kristen Buchanan can register her 50th winner at her home track of Wyong on Thursday. Picture: Grant Guy

Trainer Kristen Buchanan brought up a career milestone at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and can achieve another at Wyong.

The win by Winning Proposal at the midweek meeting in Sydney was Buchanan’s 300th career success and she can bring up her 50th win at her home track with two leading contenders.

Taking The Mikki was a little unlucky not to become her 50th Wyong winner when her was narrowly beaten there three weeks ago when a short half-head second behind Life Coach after racing wide throughout.

Jockey @nashhot puts Winning Proposal into a winning position and the first favourite is home at Warwick Farm 🏠🤝

Congratulations to @kbuchananracing who brings up her 300th career win! pic.twitter.com/A9zLHi3wG1

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 26, 2024

“I knew I was approaching 300 winners because the Wyong Club promoted it with Damien Lane also close to that mark,” said Buchanan.

“We were both on 298 winners a couple of weeks ago but Damien beat me to 300 winners when he got there a couple of days ago.

“I didn’t realise I was on 49 winners at Wyong though. It will be a great milestone to bring up.”

Buchanan’s two best chances at Wyong come up in the final two races of the day with Taking The Mikki in the Benchmark 64 (1350m) and Drama Dodger in the Benchmark 64 (1000m).

Taking The Mikki ended last campaign on a high note with a win at Taree and has returned this campaign an even better horse according to Buchanan.

A handy third over 1000m first-up was followed by a stylish win at Taree over 1250m before his gallant second last start.

“The 1000 metres was a good distance for him fresh because he can pull a bit,” she said.

“The gear chance to the Norton bit has helped him be a little more respectful of the rider and he has also grown up a lot coming into this preparation.

“He was phenomenal last start to be right in the finish. Zac (Lloyd) did a terrific job from a tricky gate.

“I couldn’t be happier with him and I looking forward to seeing him get on better ground and I don’t think the 1350 metres will be an issue.”

Buchanan also saddles up Street Candi in the same race and while she may be one of the outsiders, can run a cheeky race.

Taking The Mikki gets his second career win today!@kbuchananracingpic.twitter.com/W8IP70Z3i3

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 9, 2024

“She will be better for her first-up run and once she gets to a mile is when she comes into her own but she is capable of running well despite the wide draw,” she said.

Taking The Mikki opened at $5 with TAB Fixed Odds behind There There at $4.20 and Imasuperstar at $4.80.

Drama Dodger showed the benefit of the experience of her two runs as a two-year-old when she came back last preparation to win first-up at Muswellbrook and following up with a Class 1 win at Gosford.

“She is a beautiful filly and I really love her,” Buchanan said.

“She hit some heavy tracks last preparation and was just done by that last run so we gave her a spell.

“She won her maiden first-up at country grade and went on to a provincial Class 1 at Gosford and won again which is never easy to do.

“She stepped out in stronger company at her last start there but I don’t think her finishing position (seventh behind Keep You Cool) was a reflection of not being up to that grade, it was just that she was at the end of it.

“It was only her second campaign and her first big racing campaign after a couple of runs as a two-year-old.

“I can’t wait to kick her off again. Her trackwork and trial have been very good.”

The daughter of Nicconi opened at $6.50 behind Cosy Corner at $3.90 and Morpheus Bragi at $5.50.

AUSTIN’S DUO ARE READY TO FIREUP

It took nearly 12 months for trainer Jarrod Austin to get Fireup to the races and he feels the gelding’s best is still six months away but he heads to Wyong with a little bit confidence after an encouraging debut performance.

The four-year-old was beaten a length and three-quarters into third place behind Tycoon Artie after leading over 1200m at Goulburn earlier this month but it is the improvement Fireup as shown since then that has pleased Austin.

“He ran a very encouraging race first-up at Goulburn and he has only improved since then,” said Austin.

“He got a little lost at the top of the straight when they dashed past him but he knuckled well down and picked up again.

Tycoon Artie produces a fighting effort to win Race 1 at Goulburn! pic.twitter.com/zfUcMSn0MP

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 3, 2024

“I thought the best part of his race was the last 100 metres so I was pleased with his run.

“Since then, he has come on nice and strong.

“He heads into this race better than what he was heading to Goulburn and I expect him to run a good race.”

The son of Casino Price has drawn barrier 8 in the Maiden Plate (1350m) which has caused a little concern for Austin.

He doesn’t want to see the gelding lead this time preferring he has something to follow.

“He has a bit of tricky barrier. I would have liked for him to have drawn a soft gate and he could have got in behind a couple of horses,” he said.

“I’m not sure what Keagan (Latham) will do from the gate but I imagine they will roll across.

“Hopefully he can be outside the leader or thereabouts somewhere with something to chase.”

Joining Fireup on the float is Spats Pav Bowie who produced a career-best first-up performance according to Austin when fourth to Unstopabull at this track two weeks ago.

The gelding has a solid second-up record and is ready to make his presence felt in the Benchmark 64 (1350m).

“I was really pleased with his first-up run at Wyong. He’s a big, burly horse who always takes a couple of runs to come good,” said Austin.

“He had a good blow after the race and will be much fitter this week.

“It (this race) looks a lot more attractive stepping out over further and there doesn’t appear to be much speed in it.

“Hopefully he can find the front and I think he can give it a real shake.”

Originally published as Wyong preview: Kristen Buchanan chasing a second milestone in two days