3 minute read
Five-year-old sprinter Lucky Bucky continued his impressive career turnaround with victory in a benchmark 66 over 1009m in Devonport on Sunday.
In Brief
- Four wins and a second from five starts for Hanson.
- McCoull shows his experience with winning ride.
- Goodwood or Newmarket first-up for And Beyond.
The son of Wordsmith and Isometry spent the first five races of his career between southern-based trainers John Luttrell and Scott Brunton, but it is in the care of Tanya Hanson at Longford that the talented galloper has begun to realise his full potential.
Sunday's victory was the fourth from five starts since transferring to Hanson and the trainer says the environment of being trained at the track is something that the gelding has relished.
"I think being here (Longford) at the track he's got that rail to follow, and I think the change of environment has just worked for him," said Tanya Hanson.
A noted speedster, Lucky Bucky ($2.80 out to $3.50) was taken to the early lead by Brendon McCoull, but the jockey had a decision to make when quickly joined by Gee Gee Queen Bee ($7.50) early in the race.
McCoull eased his horse out of a potential speed battle and when he collared the leader shortly after straightening, he had plenty in reserve to hold off Schazem ($31) who settled in the leading division and the fast finishing Le Cadeau ($4.20) that came from the rear of the field.
"Brendon (McCoull) showed some common sense to pull behind instead of taking the leader on," said Hanson admitting she was a little anxious when Lucky Bucky was crossed early.
"The ride won the race I think," the trainer added on the first leg of a race-to-race double for McCoull who won the following race with Weldborough.
Despite the progressive gelding taking all before him at present, his trainer is remaining level-headed about future race targets.
"He is continuing to impress us every start and I think that was his best win yet.
"I think there is another (benchmark) 66 in a few weeks' time, we'll give him a little gap between runs," Hanson said.
Should Lucky Bucky continue his progression and make it to the state's best sprint races, he may run into one of his stablemates with Hanson reporting that And Beyond has just come back into work.
"He's going really good, he's back in work. Our main aim is the Newmarket but if he comes up earlier, he might go to the Goodwood," said Hanson with the Goodwood to be run on 14 November and the Newmarket 1 December.
