There could be no better way for a racing syndicate to start 2017 than with a win and in the case of the owners of brothers Budderoo Knight and Budderoo Dragon it could be a double celebration.
The equine half brothers, born two years apart, will line-up in the feature races at Moruya’s big holiday meeting today.
The traditional raceday attracts a huge crowd with Budderoo Knight to start one of the favourites in the $35,000 Club Narooma Cup (1425m) and Budderoo Dragon looking to find winning form again in the Lynch’s Hotel Narooma Town Plate (1200m). Experienced jockey Grant Buckley will ride the duo for father and son training duo Robert and Luke Price.
Budderoo Knight, a grey son of Pendragon, powered to the finish from back to win at Moruya last start which followed a fourth and sixth in Highway Handicaps in Sydney. Price senior feels Budderoo Knight is well up to winning the main event.
“He is a nice horse who is up to city grade,” he said. “He has come on since his last run and I have kept him on the fresh side. I haven’t done a lot with him because of the hot weather but he is ready to go.”
Budderoo Knight spent a lengthy time off after a paddock accident curtailed his career. The eye catching gelding steps up in class but receive a big weight advantage over the top weight Nat King Ku who continues to race well with big weights.
Chief In Command has figured prominently in feature races he has contested this campaign. He will carry only 56.5 kilograms after the claim for Chelsea McFarlane and should be in the finish from gate five. Budderoo Knight has won four of his ten starts for his large group of owners.
“The owners have had two winners on the one day before but not with these same two horses ,” Price said.
Budderoo Dragon will be the first of the two to race and Price is hopeful of a forward showing on a track where he is well suited.
“He won the same race last year. He is better suited to the 1200 metres and got ran off his legs last start,” Price said. "They always roll along at Moruya and he should improve.”
Count Dekroner easily beat home Budderoo Dragon last start and will start favourite despite drawing the outside gate. Budderoo Dragon has won two of his three starts at Moruya.
View the final fields, form and race replays for Moruya here