Mick Kent’s tough stayer Backbone lived up to his name with a brave victory at Caulfield on Wednesday.

The son of Vinery sire Mossman defied highly-rated imported stayer Ruscello (Ire) over 2000 metres in the Biretta & Busby Hatmaker Hcp.  “He’s carrying a bit of weight but really stayed on,” Kent said.  “There’s still some improvement in him.”

Backbone (5g Mossman – Fuss by At Talaq) did a great job under the steadier of 60kg at his second run back from a spell.  “There was no speed in the race so James (McDonald) had to get there early,” he said.  “But he just kept trying.”

The gelding is raced by Mark & Janine Casey, Douglas McLennan, Sean Duke, Jana Kadlckova, Tabitha & Mike Tauschek, Glen Barker, Sean Priestly and Adam Gay.  The owners are members of the Ballarat Turf Club and Kent will prepare him for the $200,000 Ballarat Cup (2200m) on November 24.

Backbone was a bargain $34,000 buy from Phoenix Farm at the 2010 Inglis Melbourne Autumn yearling sale and has now earned over $227,000.  He had opened his black-type account with a Listed victory in the 2012 Galilee Final at Mornington.

Bred to get over ground, his dam Fuss won five races up to 2200m topped by a G3 victory in the VRC Devon Park Stud Stakes at Flemington.  She is a daughter of 1986 Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq.

Mossman (Success Express) stands for a $19,800 (inc gst) service fee at Vinery.  His star sprinter Buffering is gearing up for an overdue Group 1 in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday week, October 25.

BACKBONE
Mossman stayer (outer) defeats European import Ruscello at Caulfield

Photo / Vin Lowe