Trainer Patrick Payne weighs options for Buccleuch

Trainer Patrick Payne faces a decision regarding the racing schedule for the four-year-old gelding Buccleuch. The horse has two competing options for the upcoming weekend: the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1440m) at Caulfield on Sunday, or the Sportsbet Same Race Multi (1600m) at Mornington on Saturday.

Payne has expressed hesitation about racing Buccleuch outside of his handicap. While the horse is an 86-rated galloper, the Mornington race is a benchmark 84 event where he would carry top weight. In contrast, the Caulfield race involves set-weights and penalties where he would face War Machine, a 109-rated competitor, receiving only 2kg in weight.

Buccleuch has recently returned from successful tie-back surgery for a wind ailment, securing two wins at Sandown over 1400m. Payne noted that while the Toorak Handicap on October 10 is a potential future target, the horse's current rating may be too low to secure entry. To date, Buccleuch has won five of his nine starts, earning over $300,000 in prize money.