Buddy To Remain In Brisbane

05 August 2015 | Chris Barsby
Logo
Grounded: Star Brisbane rookie Major Buddy will bypass the upcoming Australasian Breeders Crown in Melbourne

Grounded: Star Brisbane rookie Major Buddy will bypass the upcoming Australasian Breeders Crown in Melbourne Photo by Dan Costello - The Racing Wrap

Mark Lichtwark will resist the temptation.

The astute horseman will remain in Queensland with his talented rookie pacer Major Buddy and not chase the riches on offer for the Australasian Breeders Crown series in Melbourne in the coming weeks.

The Paleface Adios Classic winner returned to the winners circle last Friday night at Albion Park when he demolished his rivals in the Burwood Stud Pace over the 1660m in a mile rate of 1;57.9.

He finished off in a scorching last split of 27.6 easily defeating a very good filly in Cherish The Moment.

But the victory wasn’t enough to convince Lichtwark.

“I thought long and hard about making the trip but then reality kicked in and I’m certain staying home is the best option for him right now. He got really sick mid-season, I mean really sick so he’s done a big job just to make it back this term.” Lichtwark said.

Since resuming from his illness, Major Buddy was beaten first-up at Albion Park on June 26 behind Roarn in a strong time of 1;56.0.

The Art Major – Aquarius Rising rig was then beaten in the Brisbane ABC heat at Albion Park on July 10 when talented pacer Catcha Lefty prevailed in a three horse race.

“I’ve been really happy with his two runs back this preparation; he needed that run first-up badly and I didn’t expect they would go that quick while he was solid in the Breeders Crown heat behind Catcha Lefty. He had his chance that night but the winner is a smart type so I was pleased.

“He won well the other night and he’s come through it with flying colours. It wasn’t an easy decision to make but I think it’s the right one to make at this stage of his career, the plan this season was to head to Melbourne because he is Vicbred but those plans were shelved after he got real sick.

“The Breeders Crown is a very tough series and when you have to travel, you have to be at the top of your game. I plan on giving him another start or two before seasons end and then he can have a good break because he’s still growing, he’s a very big horse.”

The list of top line juveniles that Lichtwark has trained reads like a never ending list including the likes of Masked Crusader, Cherry Cheer, Aquagold, Rhapsody In Red and Magic In Motion to name just a few.

Lichtwark was the former studmaster of famed nursery Egmont Park Stud on the Darling Downs.

 

Related News

29 March 2024
Ford looking for Gold on Good Friday
The combined harness and greyhound meeting on Good Friday night in Hobart is fast becoming a Tassie racing tradition, and it’s back again with eight greyhound races and six harness events making up this year’s 14-race program. Driver Dylan Ford will be out to continue his excellent start...
28 March 2024
New HRV chair Adam Kilgour on challenges, opportunities
Newly appointed Harness Racing Victoria chair Adam Kilgour says his passion for a challenge and the people in racing drives his desire to strengthen the industry. Kilgour was yesterday announced to replace Dale Monteith as the head of the board, on which he has served since 2018, and said he was eager...
28 March 2024
La sun of a gun emerges as Blackbook zeros in on breeding line
La Machane won 20 of her 61 starts and more than $330,000 for connections in Ross and Greg Sugars' care and the mare's making just as big an impression in the breeding barn. Having given us La Puddie ($137,179) and La Captain ($182,020), the Bettors Delight mare has another nice type in Benbullan, who...
28 March 2024
Jack ready to show off the next generation of stars at Bathurst
Nathan Jack has his next generation of stars ready to lead a northern assault on Bathurst's two-year-old Group 1s Saturday night, eager to emulate the stable's 2023 success.
28 March 2024
Steve Cleave's Little Black Book $200 game plans for Melton
Steve Cleave has looked through his Little Black Book to produce a $200 game plan for Easter Saturday night at Melton Entertainment Park.
Click for more