Bucky’s Little Brother One to Follow

Tara Madgwick - Sunday March 9

Talented import Buckaroo (GB) was one of the WFA stars of last year’s spring carnival and we had a first look at his younger half-brother in the $150,000 VRC Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday and Middle Earth (GB) did not disappoint.

Middle Earth (GB) powers home to win at Flemington - image Scott Barbour / Racing Photos

Now trained by Ciaron Maher, the five year-old son of ill-fated European Horse of the Year Roaring Lion, was a Group III winner in the UK last year and then made his way to Australia for a possible tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

Advertisement

Gelded and given a good spell without racing after his arrival last October, he was stepping out for the first time on Saturday and produced a long sustained burst for Mark Zahra to power home and beat his stablemate, the Group I MRC Caulfield Cup winner Duke de Sessa (IRE).

Middle Earth is slated to progress to the $2.5 million Group I VRC Australian Cup, with the Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick two weeks later also a possibility.

“It is great when those really well-credentialled horses come and do that,” Maher said. “The owners are very patient. He could have a run today and be a live Australian Cup hope.

“He’s only going to improve. He’s still furnishing.

“I said to the owners that we’ll let him come on. He lowered his colours a little bit last start (in the UK). He has been gelded and the owners have been very patient.

“I said to Mark (Zahra) before the race to just let it happen instead of trying to make it happen.

“There’s no better, patient rider. He gives the horse confidence.

“He looks like he liked Flemington. I’m sure the horse will improve as first-up over ten-furlongs, it is a good effort by the team.”

Raced previously by Qatar Racing, who still retain a share in his ownership, Middle Earth now rusn for a big group of stable clients and was foaled and raised at Tweenhills in the UK.

He is a half-brother to Group I winner Buckaroo and also stakes-placed Siege of Troy being from stakes-winning Galileo mare Roheryn, a daughter of Group III winning More than Ready mare La Chunga.

His sire Roaring Lion only ever had one crop of foals and of those 88 starters there have been 55 winners highlighted by seven stakes-winners with Group I winner Dubai Mile the best of them.

Advertisment

Race Result - TAB Australian Cup Prelude 2000m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:03.18
1
Middle Earth
- 5g Roaring Lion (USA) x Roheryn (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: M Zahra 57.5
2
0.3
Duke De Sessa
- 6g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Dark Crusader (IRE) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: H Coffey 59.5
3
0.8
Shaiyhar
- 6g Camelot (GB) x Sharliyna (IRE) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Craig Williams 56
4
0.9
Berkshire Breeze
- 6g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Bright And Shining (IRE) (Camelot (GB))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Ethan Brown 56
5
2.6
Dashing Duchess
- 5m Tavistock (NZ) x Charlotte Russe (NZ) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Symon Wilde Rdr: L Currie 54
6
3
Smokin' Romans
- 8g Ghibellines (AUS) x Inferno (NZ) (Yamanin Vital (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Jamie Melham 57.5
7
3
Young Werther
- 7g Tavistock (NZ) x Romantic Time (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 57
8
3.5
Post Impressionist
- 6g Teofilo (IRE) x Island Remede (GB) (Medicean (GB))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: B Melham 57.5
9
4
Etna Rosso
- 5g Decorated Knight (GB) x Kirouna (FR) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 57.5
10
5.2
Aramco
- 6g Sea The Moon (GER) x Her Honour (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Teetan 56
More Reading...
Ciaron Maher Cheers On Melbourne Cup Hopeful at Newbury
The Melbourne Cup remains in play for Middle Earth and his new part owner, Ciaron Maher, after making a successful 2024 bow in the Group III Aston Park Stakes at Newbury.
Olentia Sells for $2.6million to top MM August Virtual
Group II winning Zoustar mare Olentia was always seen as the likely sale-topper of the Magic Millions August Virtual Sale and she duly sparked interest with Olly Tait of Twin Hills Stud securing the mare on behalf of his international client Wathnan Racing for $2.6million.
Breednet Distance Sire Tables Highlight Some Home Truths
The end of season is a great time to look back and assess what has happened in terms of sire results and what may happen in the future and more importantly what all of that might mean for Australian racing.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 6
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
A Family Affair - Russian Camelot Filly Salutes at Sandown
Danny O’Brien enjoyed Group I success with outstanding colt Russian Camelot (IRE), so was understandably excited to produce his first metropolitan winner as a sire at Sandown on Wednesday and Censori comes from a family that he knows inside and out.
Snitzel’s Tyreek Too Good On Debut At Canterbury
Off the back of two unbeaten trial performances, it was no surprise to see the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Tyreek (Snitzel) start well in the money on debut before the 3yo gelding was simply too good for his rivals, winning the TAB Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday at Canterbury.
One To Watch – Sandown
Fourth on debut behind the promising San Giovanni, who has since won again, the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Written Tycoon colt Duke Atreides was sent south to Victoria with instant success.
First foal Arrives for Mo’Unga
The Kelly family of Newhaven Park have taken an educated gamble on champion New Zealand sire Savabeel and have already struck paydirt with exciting young sire Cool Aza Beel siring Group I winning 2YO Cool Archie and now it’s time for Mo’Unga to make his mark.
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
2025 Cox Plate Entries – Who are the 3YO Cox Plate Dreamers?
108 entries have been received for the 2025 Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m) to be run on October 25 with a galaxy of stars that include 11 overseas contenders and a group of new season 3YO’s.