Buccleuch impressive in Flemington triumph

Carrying the same colours as a former stablemate, Buccleuch won the TAB We're On (1420m) at Flemington on Saturday, five years after Cherry Tortoni took out the same race.

Cherry Tortoni went on to claim the Listed Gibson Carmichael Stakes (1600m) two weeks after his 1400m win before returning in the spring to claim the Group 2 Vase at Moonee Valley and finish fourth in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m).

Ridden by Billy Egan, Buccleuch ($4.40) scored a 2-¼ length win from Arcora ($19) with Millennium Blade ($7.50) a length away third.

Egan was impressed with the way Buccleuch went about his work after partnering the gelding in his maiden win at Echuca on June 3.

"He won really well today," Egan said.

"I've ridden him all the way through in all his trials and races and he's always been improving, but he's never shown me the turn of foot like that.

"He's always been a little leggy, a little unbalanced and I thought he might be a horse that maintains a gallop.

"That's why I went for him quite firmly at the top of the straight. I thought he might have to struggle to get past Observer, but he went past it like it was nailed to the fence.

"That surprised me a bit. It was a really good win."

Egan also partnered Cherry Tortoni who went through his two-year-old year unbeaten before returning in the spring with solid form.

"This bloke is possibly a little slower to develop than he was but that win probably peaked like one of Cherry's wins as well," Egan said.

"He'll go a mile, but I couldn't say if he'll be going to a Derby or anything.

"Paddy did the same with Cherry and he only had a short break before the spring.

"He's in the right hands. If anyone can do it (get him to the spring), he can."

The Payne brother and sister training team combined with Egan to score with Stop The Rock in the Ken Cox Handicap (2000m).

Stop The Rock has won three of his four starts to date, while the training team also supplied third placegetter Verona Rupes.

Michelle Payne said provided the pair along with sixth placed Frontline Action pull up well, the trio could return for the Mahogany Challenge Series Final (2500m) at Flemington on July 5.