Stakes-winning sprinter Buoyant recorded his biggest victory during New Zealand Cup Week at Riccarton three years ago and owner-trainer Sabin Kirkland has designs on returning to the carnival with his gelding next month.
The son of Dalghar was in a purple patch of form during that period, placing in the listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) before winning the group 3 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m).
He went on to win the listed Hazlett Stakes (1200m) at Wingatui a month later, but his form dropped off when he campaigned in Australia.
He returned to Kirkland’s care last year, and while Buoyant has recorded two victories on his return, he has battled soundness issues, and Kirkland is hoping he has now got on top of them.
"We had a few issues with him and hopefully we might have him sorted," Kirkland said.
"He has a few muscle problems, so we have had a chiropractor going over him quite often, so hopefully we are on top of it all."
He showed positive signs when runner-up last-start behind the Robert Dennis-trained Sir Sterling at Ascot Park earlier this month.
"I was very happy with him. It wasn’t my plan to go to the front, but it is just the way it ended up," Kirkland said.
"He has come through it really well. He is bouncing."
Kirkland is hoping to see a continuation of that form at Wingatui tomorrow when Buoyant will jump from barrier 8 in the open handicap Otago Engineering (1400m).
"He seems to go well at Wingatui. He has won some nice races there," Kirkland said.
"Being a heavy10, the wider you are the better you are and hopefully we can ride him back this time. Corey [Campbell, jockey] has won a few races on him, so he knows the horse."
Kirkland is looking forward to returning to Riccarton next month for New Zealand Cup week, and Buoyant’s performance tomorrow will dictate which race he targets. Another attempt at the Stewards’ Stakes is a possibility.
"We will evaluate things after Friday," Kirkland said.
"We might go back to Wingatui and then on to the cup meeting, or straight on to the cup meeting.
"We could have a look at the Stewards, but there is a nice open 1400m on the last day worth $75,000, so we will have a look at those races. They might just be a bit smart for him over 1200m now."
Kirkland will also head to Wingatui with in-form mare Tomasina, who will drop back to rating 75 grade in the Property Brokers–Ray Kean (1200m), after placing in her last two starts in open company.
"She has gone super," he said.
"We have had her in the Open grade in her last two starts, so she is dropping back to 75. She seems to like the give in the track and I think she will put in a good effort." — LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
By Joshua Smith
