Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton set rich goals for promising colt Buckeye

Highly-promising colt Buckeye can thrust himself in the frame for a big money Queensland raid with an impressive debut showing at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Highly-promising colt Buckeye can thrust himself in the frame for a big money Queensland raid with an impressive debut showing at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

A $200,000 purchase at this year’s Magic Millions sales, Buckeye could head towards the $3 million 2YO Classic if he puts his hand up on debut.

Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have been rapt with what the son of Zousain has so far shown at home in the lead up to his debut.

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Buckeye ($7) now gets his chance to impress on raceday in the Ranvet 2YO Open Handicap (1100m) with form rider Tommy Berry aboard.

“He has been a nice horse all along, a horse we’ve been very happy with,” O’Shea said.

“There is no reason why he couldn’t give a good account of himself on debut.

“We will get through Saturday and see what it brings but he is a Magic Millions horse and is quite a robust individual so it wouldn’t be out of the realms of possibility if he was to run well.”

Buckeye has had two trials in the lead up to his first start and looked good in both.

The full-brother to Group 3 Red Roses Stakes-winner AMELITA, BUCKEYE (2 c Zousain - Miss Amelia) takes out an 802m trial at Warwick Farm in 47.91 ⏱

He was a $200k buy for his trainer @JohnOSheaRacing with @JamesBester4 from @Cressfieldstud's @mmsnippets Gold Coast draft ☀️… pic.twitter.com/5TflF56Sea

— ANZ Bloodstock (@anz_news) November 19, 2024

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The colt was a winner in his latest hit out over 802m at Warwick Farm, doing his best work late after a crack of the whip from jockey Zac Lloyd.

“It (the whip) was more about teaching him to come off the bridle,” O’Shea said.

“He is a horse that is very laconic and relaxed and we wanted to make sure he knew what he was there for.”

O’Shea and Charlton had Cotehele entered for the Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) but scratched on Friday.

“He has had a good, long time out and was a bit rusty the other day at Newcastle,” O’Shea said.

“Another week wouldn’t hurt him and there is a race next week for him as well.”

Originally published as Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton set rich goals for promising colt Buckeye