Jockey Jye Mcneil will reunite with Cox Plate placegetter Buckaroo when he has the first run of his autumn campaign at Caulfield.
Buckaroo makes his return in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday with McNeil in the saddle.
McNeil has ridden Buckaroo just once in the gelding’s 31 starts which came in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance last spring.
Buckaroo surprised in finishing third behind Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside in that contest before going on to run placings in the Underwood Stakes, the Might And Power and Cox Plate – all at Group 1 level – before running last in the Melbourne Cup.
In those four outings following the Memsie Stakes, Buckaroo had four different riders – Blake Shinn, James Mcdonald, Mark Zahra and Craig Williams.
Buckaroo has had two trials in Sydney to prepare for his return and visited Caulfield on Tuesday morning where McNeil was aboard.
“Last campaign I rode him first-up in the Memsie over the same distance and he surprised a few people by running really well,” McNeil said.
“He was third behind Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside, and if he can put a run together like that, I think the team would be very happy.
“He seems fantastic in the work he did. I didn’t work him going into last campaign, but he seems very well.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be partnering him but I’m looking forward to the opportunity on Saturday.”
McNeil said Buckaroo would not be fazed by the likelihood of a track upgrade on Saturday from the Good 4 it will be presented when racing commences.
“The track was on the firmer side on Tuesday morning, but we didn’t do too much, just held him together, and he felt fine,” McNeil said.
