The 2026 Red Anchor Stakes results delivered an exciting new contender for next Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, with the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained Buggsy digging deep to score a determined victory in Saturday’s early Cox Plate Day sprint race at Flemington.

Already regarded as a colt with plenty of talent, the son of Harry Angel enhanced his growing résumé with a tough straight-track success in the Group 3 $240,000 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) that has seen him immediately firm in Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026 betting, shortening from $51 into $34 at Ladbrokes following the win.

Buggsy Toughs It Out in Red Anchor Stakes Triumph

In a thrilling finish to the three-year-old feature, Buggsy ($3.40) proved too strong late under veteran hoop Craig Williams, holding off stablemate The Speed Machine by a long head, while Valaroso boxed on well for third.

2026 Red Anchor Stakes Results

Winning Time: 1:10.10
Margin: Long Head x Long Neck

The victory was the third win from just six starts for Buggsy, who had hinted at his ability throughout the spring after earlier victories at Sandown and a stakes placing in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield.

BUGGSY UP ON THE INSIDE ?

A fighting win under Craig Williams in the Red Anchor Stakes!@Cwilliamsjockey @MickPriceRacing pic.twitter.com/CCSfLu9q58

— 7HorseRacing ? (@7horseracing) October 24, 2026

Price Reveals Red Anchor Was Always the Plan

Co-trainer Michael Kent Jr revealed connections had targeted the Red Anchor immediately after the colt’s previous outing.

“The second Craig Williams hopped off the horse last start he said, ‘Red Anchor, three weeks’,” he told Racing Victoria.

While the win wasn’t without drama, Kent was thrilled with the toughness Buggsy showed when things became a little untidy mid-race.

“The blinkers went on and I thought it was very gutsy,” he said.

“I have to ask Craig but at the half-mile he veered in and overreacted badly. Very messy there for several strides but he was very tough up the fence. That was great.”

The stable had long felt the Flemington straight would suit the colt and were rewarded for their confidence.

“We knew he’d like the straight and we thought he was well placed,” Kent added.

“The horse deserved that.”

Kent also noted Buggsy’s recent form had been stronger than many punters perhaps realised.

“He’s been thereabouts and back into premier form,” he said.

“He was only beaten three lengths by the best colt in The Next Episode.”

Stable Quinella Highlights Strength of Price-Kent Team

It wasn’t just Buggsy giving the stable something to smile about.

Fellow Price-Kent representative The Speed Machine lost no admirers after fighting hard into second in his first attempt at 1200 metres.

Kent was quick to praise the runner-up.

“He was good. First time at 1200,” he said.

“He is a very fast horse.”

“We weren’t so sure on his stamina but he toughed it out really well and nearly got him.”

“He can keep going, he’s a nice horse too.”

The stable quinella further strengthened the camp’s three-year-old stocks heading towards the remainder of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Williams Overcomes Mid-Race Scare

Winning jockey Craig Williams admitted the race wasn’t entirely straightforward after the addition of blinkers sparked an anxious moment during the run.

“First time in race conditions with blinkers on,” he said.

“Early on he was in a nice rhythm and spotted one outside of him and put his head up.”

Williams revealed the colt briefly found himself in an awkward position.

“Just ran across horses’ heels and I thought, ‘Oh God, that is a no-go zone’,” he explained.

Fortunately, Buggsy quickly regained his composure before digging deep when challenged late.

“He had the horses to stalk in front,” Williams said.

“Went to the front and got a bit of pressure.”

“He started wandering, looking for his mates as he can’t see them with the blinkers on.”

“It still was a good, tough, determined win today.”

The champion rider was also full of praise for Buggsy’s versatility.

“The track is perfect from Liam O’Keefe and the team for what they are dealing with, but this horse goes on wet ground as well,” he said.

“It doesn’t really affect him.”

“He’s a warrior, a tough horse, that’s for sure.”

Coolmore Stud Stakes Now Looms

With the Red Anchor Stakes run and won, attention immediately shifts to the Group 1 $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington next Saturday as part of the VRC Derby Day line-up.

The performance was good enough to spark immediate market support, with Buggsy firming significantly from $51 into $34 in Coolmore Stud Stakes futures betting.

It remains to be seen whether connections elect to back the colt up seven days later, but Saturday’s victory suggested he has earned his opportunity to take on the elite three-year-old sprinters.

His ability to handle the Flemington straight, absorb pressure and still find the line strongly are all traits that generally stand up well in a Coolmore Stud Stakes.

After showing promise earlier in the season, Saturday’s Group 3 breakthrough suggests the Harry Angel colt may still have further improvement to come.

Whether next stop is the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes or another target later in the carnival, one thing appears certain, Buggsy is quickly emerging as a three-year-old worth following.

And if his latest Flemington performance is any guide, punters may not be getting the luxury of $34 for much longer.

Full 2026 Red Anchor Stakes Results