Amelia Park mare Toropa (Toronado) opened her black-type account in the LR Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) last Saturday and her close relation Bucket’s Ridge (Pride Of Dubai) doubled up in the LR Towton Cup (2200m) at Ascot yesterday.
It sets up what could be a New Year to remember for the Vasse stud with Toropa being set for the G3 La Trice Classic (1800m) and Bucket’s Ridge the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) on January 1.
Bucket’s Ridge will endeavour to become the fourth stayer to complete the Towton – Perth Cups double in the same season since the turn of the century following Cardinal Colours (Chief’s Crown), Real Love (Desert King) and Buster Bash (Trade Fair).
Trained by Grant and Alana Williams, he firmed into $8 for the Perth Cup after a convincing victory over fast-closer Forever Boy (Charm Spirit) and front-runner Filthy Habits (I’m All The Talk) on Saturday.
Bucket’s Ridge had won the LR Melvista Stakes (2200m) as an autumn 3yo and LR Northam Cup (1600m) as a spring 4yo last year. “He was our leading chance for the Perth Cup twelve months ago but he had issues after flipping over,” Grant Williams recalled.
“Alana has always loved him and reckons he’s a big turbo diesel. He spelled really well at Amelia Park and has come back better than ever this season.”
Stewards reported Bucket’s Ridge was “Unable to gain clear running on straightening until the 200m” last time out in LR Scahill Cup (2100m) and Victorian jockey Billy Egan vowed not to get pocketed a second time.
“He has a few tricks and I had a positive plan today. He built momentum and rallied around the corner. He waited a bit once we got the front and the more I ride him, the more I learn.”
Buckets Ridge was bred by Amelia Park owner Peter Walsh in partnership with Brian Bradley and John Cipriani and they manage a syndicate that bought him back for $75,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. The Towton prizemoney increased his overall earnings to $481,000.
His dam Reveille (High Chaparral) is a three-quarter sister to Toropa (Toronado) and she has a Ducimus 2yo filly with Diamond Racing and a filly foal by Playing God with Elvira Park owner David Moore.