By Brenton Le Grand
It will be a big two days for Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan as she plans an assault at Scone this Friday and Saturday.
Buchanan gets the ball rolling on Friday with Bluesbro ($12 with TAB fixed odds) in the Newgate Stallions Class 1 over 1600m. A model of consistency, Bluesbro has only missed a place twice in his 10 starts to date. Being a half-brother to Buchanan’s former Group 2 winner Two Blue, Kristen knows the slow-maturing family intimately.
“It was so good for him to get that win two starts back, he deserved that one,” Buchanan said. “He then backed up for a nice second, and the extra 150m should suit him on Friday.”
Later in the card, Buchanan has another ultra-consistent campaigner Dual Escape ($34) in the Turangga Farm Class 2 over 1300m. This 4YO Dubleo mare has never finished further back than three lengths from the winner in her six-start career, and always gives her connections a great watch.
“It’s a tough race, but Serg (Lisnyy) has won twice on her already and we hope he can slot in somewhere from gate 11,” Buchanan said. “She ran a very credible fourth over this track and trip late last year and definitely won’t be far off them.”
Buchanan then turns to the stand-alone meeting at Scone on Saturday with Niccobelle ($41) engaged in the Vinery Stud BM80 over 1100m. A top-three placing will take this 4YO Nicconi gelding’s earnings over the $100,000 mark, further stamping Buchanan’s recent run.
“He was actually quite game in the Provincial Championships qualifier at Gosford and then won nicely next up at Muswellbrook,” Buchanan said. “I’ve freshened him up a bit, and we should get a nice run from that gate.”
The racing action doesn’t stop there for Buchanan, with multiple chargers nominated for Taree and Tamworth early next week.