Thebudgiesmugla another Kiwi bargain for Darby

Australian syndicator Darby Racing has enjoyed another major return from its New Zealand buying strategy, with Thebudgiesmugla continuing his rapid rise through the staying ranks.

The New Zealand-bred son of Redwood has been a revelation since joining Bjorn Baker’s Warwick Farm stable, with his dominant victory in Saturday’s Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) further strengthening Darby Racing’s faith in sourcing tried horses from across the Tasman.

Thebudgiesmugla has now won seven of his 13 starts and remains unbeaten in five attempts over 2400m, having also claimed the Listed Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Rosehill at his previous start.

Darby Racing’s New Zealand blueprint has already delivered Melbourne Cup qualifier Goldman, who won six races and more than A$663,000 in prizemoney, Brisbane Cup winner Campaldino, whose seven victories have earned more than A$675,000, and multiple Saturday winner Collect Your Cash, who has won five races and more than A$316,000.

Darby Racing principal Scott Darby said Thebudgiesmugla was another example of why the syndicator keeps returning to New Zealand.

“We use a couple of bloodstock agents in New Zealand,” Darby said.

“We’ve bought most of them through Phill Cataldo, but we’ve recently linked up with Dave Mee (of Pinhook) Bloodstock and this was actually a Dave Mee find, and very well found.

“We get a lot of New Zealand horses put across our desk, so we’ve got to wade through the breeding and race records.

“You’ve got to make sure there’s enough there so you can syndicate the horse as well. He’d had four starts for two wins, one of them in a highweight race, and he presented as a proper stayer.

“You never know how far they’ll go, but we’ve had success identifying horses that show genuine staying ability. Because our staying ranks aren’t that strong here, and in New Zealand the horses have been given their time, once they come over to an Australian trainer, that seems to be a bit of a winning formula.”