BUCHANAN CHASING A STAKES VICTORY WITH ANNIE’S ROSE
KRISTEN Buchanan says it’s time for Annie’s Rose to have a crack at stakes company.
The Wyong trainer is eyeing Saturday week’s $250,000 Group 3 The Nivison (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens – and who can blame her!
Annie’s Rose is unbeaten from three starts at the track; the latest last Saturday when she surged along the inside to defeat Lulumon and Newcastle mare Mercy Me in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).
The six-year-old daughter of Sepoy’s earlier Rosehill victories this year were in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) in March, and Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) on August 1.
The Nivison is for mares four-year-old and upwards at set weights plus penalties.
Buchanan has done a superb job with Annie’s Rose since she joined her stable after doing her earlier racing in South Australia and Victoria.
She has won four races with Annie’s Rose, beginning with the Wayne Harris Handicap (1280m) at the Muswellbrook Cup meeting in March last year.
Coincidentally, both the mare’s sire (Sepoy, winner) and dam (Rue Maple, fifth) contested the 2011 Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
“Annie’s Rose is going really well, and it’s time to step her up to stakes company,” Buchanan said this morning as she headed off on another road trip, this time to Tamworth, following Rosehill last Saturday and Port Macquarie yesterday.
“Even though she is unbeaten at Rosehill, I don’t consider her a track specialist.
“She was unlucky at Randwick two starts back when seventh in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m), beaten only one and a half lengths.
“Every time she has won at Rosehill, she has benefitted from good pace and good rides.
“Reece Jones rides her really well, and has been aboard in her last two wins in town.”
Annie’s Rose was Buchanan’s 347th career winner – and it should have just about been 348 at Port Macquarie yesterday.
Hard Jakka ($3.10 favorite) went under narrowly in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1204m), and was terribly unlucky not to have won, even though the winner Under Twenty Two ($15).
Hard Jakka drew barrier 10 in a field of 12, wasn’t the best away and had to make a long run wide from well before the home turn and just failed to pick up Under Twenty Two.
“Hard Jakka has ability for sure, but is his own worst enemy,” Buchanan said.
Apprentice Olivia Chambers, who rode Hard Jakka, has joined Buchanan’s stable on loan.
“I’m hoping the move will become permanent,” Buchanan said.
STORY JOHN CURTIS, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS
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