McNeil Stakes: Bruckner beats Blue Diamond winner Artorius but rematch unlikely this spring

Blue Diamond winner Artorius produced a stunning return in the McNeil Stakes but it wasn’t enough to catch Bruckner, who will go their separate paths this spring.

Bruckner holds off the fast-finishing Artorius in the McNeil Stake. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Bruckner may well become the answer to a racing trivia question in the future as the last horse to beat Artorius.

Artorius returned to the races in emphatic style on Saturday, coming from last in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) to be a half-neck second to Bruckner.

An extra bound and the result could easily be flipped such was the closing speed from Artorius.

A rematch is unlikely, not this spring anyway, with Ciaron Maher keen to keep maturing Bruckner at the sprint distances.

The Coolmore Stud Stakes could be an option for the Aquis-owned three-year-old Snitzel colt, who raced wide and ungenerously but still found enough to hold out Caulfield Guineas favourite Artorius.

“I don’t think he’ll go to the Guineas,” Maher said.

“I think he was still fairly keen today so maybe he heads towards a Coolmore.

“Still a bit more water to go under the bridge and he’s still furnishing.”

Bruckner is likely to head towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes instead of the Caulfield Guineas. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Godolphin filly Heresy and Lightsaber rounded out the top four.

John Allen, who picked up the ride on Bruckner as a replacement for Jamie Kah, was thrilled with the developing colt’s performance despite some nervous moments.

“He was just a little bit fierce early but once we got in behind he relaxed nicely,” Allen said.

“We had that nice free run and he presented at the top of the straight.

“I had to dig deep later. Artorius was hitting the line outside him but I had the head down.”

Allen echoed Maher’s thoughts about bypassing the Caulfield Guineas.

“He’s quite a sharp horse but if he relaxes a bit more there’s no doubt that he could get a bit further,” Maher said.

“At this stage of his career sticking to the sprint distances might be his go.”

Probabeel’s perfect Caulfield return intact

Classy New Zealand mare Probabeel kept an unbeaten record at Caulfield intact, digging deep to mow down Chassis in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m).

The Jamie Richards-trained triple Group 1 winner let down smartly from the second half of the field to record a third win at The Heath in as many starts.

Jockey Damian Lane, who rode the mare to win the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes first-up in the autumn before taking out the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, said the five-year-old will improve again.

“She was probably a bit more dominant in the Bellmaine in the autumn,” Lane said.

“I was probably more on top of the speed (then) and she bullied the race a little bit.

“Whereas today she was off the speed and had to sprint.

“She’s come back in terrific order … but she’s going to take a lot improvement from that run.”

Probabeel (yellow and black) runs down Chassis (right) to win the Cockram Stakes. Picture: Racing Racing Photos via Getty Images

Probabeel will return to Caulfield on September 18 for the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).

Outside of the winner and runner-up Chassis, who went stride for stride with Probabeel the last 200m, Group 1 Instant Celebrity closed off sharply from near last to grab third.

Probabeel, who lumped 60kg to victory on Saturday, is likely to get into the Rupert Clarke with about 57kg against the boys.

Originally published as McNeil Stakes: Bruckner beats Blue Diamond winner Artorius but rematch unlikely this spring