Gelded import Buckaroo defies rivals with gutsy win in the Group 1 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick

Group 1 placed Buckaroo followed his solid first-up run as a gelding in the Winx Stakes with a brave win from stablemate Hinged in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick.

Buckaroo (left) holds out stablemate Hinged to win the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Buckaroo finally broke through for his first Australian win denying stablemate Hinged an overdue success in another thrilling and tense finish at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The result of the Group 2 $300,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) was a quinella for champion trainer Chris Waller, continuing his modern-era domination of the race.

“The real topliners are at home today, but these horses deserve their time in the sun,” Waller said.

“There’s some good prizemoney on offer in the next few weeks, and they won’t have to clash with the better horses.

“I think Hill Stakes, Craven Plate, they’re million-dollar races, and that’s where first and second will be running next.”

Buckaroo ($7) was well ridden by Tommy Berry as he held off Hinged ($5) to win by a half head with Nonconformist ($19) 1¼ lengths away third.

Godolphin mare Zardozi, the $2.25 favourite, appeared to have the right run in the but could only finish sixth although it was difficult to make ground away from the inside section of the home straight.

Buckaroo, a talented imported galloper who was Group 1 placed behind Via Sistina in the Ranvet Stakes earlier this year, was gelded during his break and his first-up effort in the Winx Stakes when eighth to Via Sistina suggested he is in for a good spring preparation as he proved in the Chelmsford.

“He’s really made a statement today,” Berry said.

“Chris (Waller) just said, ‘look if you can get him to jump today, put him into the race and let him know it’s game on,’ and he was brilliant today, so he really deserved that win.

“On the line, I thought I just got him but I’m a bad judge, especially when you’ve got Nash breathing down your neck he just throws them over the line.”

Waller said Buckaroo’s win did not surprise the stable although the trainer had sympathy for Hinged after the mare’s narrow loss extended her losing streak 30 months, albeit with some near misses in a number of Group 1 races.

“Buckaroo’s first-up run was good, and his work since has been good,” Waller said.

“Tommy had the initiative just to be a bit further forward today with the way the track’s racing, which is how we’re used to racing in the UK and Ireland. It’s a good reward for a tough old horse.

Another good go at Randwick in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes and it's Buckaroo who gets the photo to win his first race in Australia! 🙌@[e-mail]/IKDOYSWkej

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 7, 2024

“As for Hinged, she was close, she doesn’t know she got beat, so we’ll let her think that she won today. We’ll give her all the pats and cuddles because in another stride she probably had it.”

Hinged’s jockey Nash Rawiller described her as a “great mare”.

“She has tried her backside off,” Rawiller said.

“I felt like she might have hit the front a stride before and a stride after so happy with the way she has returned.

“I actually think she will be better suited again when she gets into a super high pressure race, what race that is I am not sure.

“We tried to be as positive on her today. Still her turn of foot let her down a bit. Her strength will get her home in one of these.”

Waller has now prepared seven Chelmsford winners including the 2020 trifecta with Mister Sea Wolf, Yulong Prince and Finche.

The Hall of Fame trainer could even threaten Tommy Smith’s 16 Chelmsford Stakes wins which stands as a national record for a stakes race.

Melbourne raider Nonconformist, trained by Grahame Begg and ridden by Harry Coffey, ran on well to claim the minor prize.

“It was a really good run, great to see him return like that,” Coffey said.

“The best part of his race was the last 100m so that is important.”

Another imported stayer, the Kris Lees-trained Adelaide River, could be the horse to follow are he closed strongly for fourth.

“I think we are getting back to near his best,” said Dylan Gibbons, rider of Adelaide River.

“It was a shame it wasn’t a fair deck to see how well he has really gone. I’d be surprised if many horses have made as much ground as he has today.”

Originally published as Gelded import Buckaroo defies rivals with gutsy win in the Group 1 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick