Bucanero Fuerte camp has ‘many options’ to consider

Winner of last season’s Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, Adrian Murray’s charge looked a serious Commonwealth Cup contender after making a successful comeback in the Lacken Stakes at Naas in May, but he suffered travel sickness after crossing the Irish Sea and did not line up at Royal Ascot.

There was some hope that Bucanero Fuerte would recover in time to face his elders for the first time on the July course – but having now been ruled out of that prestigious contest too, Murray is unsure at this stage when his Wootton Bassett colt will return to competitive action.

“He’s lost a bit of weight (after the trip to Ascot) and we need a few more weeks to get him back to where he was,” the trainer said.

“It’s disappointing, but that’s the way it is. And in the long run, in October, when we have soft or heavy ground, he’ll love it. I’d say he’s a better horse on heavy ground.”

“We have a lot of options, so we’re going to do it right and see where it takes us.”

Bucanero Fuerte’s upcoming big races include the Sapphire Stakes and Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh later this month, the Lennox and King George Stakes at Goodwood and the Nunthorpe at York.

The horse Murray is hoping can give him a second consecutive Phoenix Stakes victory next month is Arizona Blaze, who, after winning the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes and finishing third in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot, ran another fine race in defeat when placed in the Railway Stakes last weekend.

Reflecting on his performance in finishing third behind Henri Matisse and The Strikin Viking, Murray added: “I was quite happy, maybe the race could have been a bit quick after Ascot, I don’t know.

“He held up very well at the finish and I’m happy with him. He came out of the race brilliantly, he’s bouncing back.

“He looks like a sprinter and he’ll probably go to the Phoenix.”

California Dreamer, another Murray-trained colt who was placed in a group on Irish Derby weekend, was beaten half a length by Truly Enchanting in the Airlie Stud Stakes.

“I was delighted with her, she always looked like a very promising filly,” said Rathowen’s manager.

“I would say she will improve further with the Curragh but we haven’t really thought about anything for her yet.

“She’s already done two fast runs, so we’ll let her recover and come up with a plan. She’d be a sure thing for a young girl, can you imagine!”

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