RHYTHM BUZZ, reporting at 120lb, after allowing SHEER DELIGHT six pounds and losing in a driving finish at a mile, gives the son of Buzz Nightmare an outstanding chance to floor American stayer GIRVANO in Saturday’s Yvonne Mattis Cup at nine furlongs.
On his second run off a four-month lay-up, RHYTHM BUZZ failed by a head to catch United States-bred SHEER DELIGHT, who won in a decent 1:39.3 two Saturdays ago.
RHYTHM BUZZ was given time off by his connections after hitting above his head in December’s Grade I Mouttet Mile, finishing down the track against foreigners after racing prominently for the first half-mile.
On his April 6 return, down two classes among overnight-allowance runners, RHYTHM BUZZ carried 126lb at five furlongs straight and finished sixth, five lengths behind back-to-form American CHAMPION BUBBLER, who he allowed 20lb.
CHAMPION BUBBLER franked the form, up in class, last Saturday by beating speedy BOOTYLICIOUS, as well as Mouttet Mile runners PACK PLAYS and IS THAT A FACT, to clinch a hat-trick of wins at five furlongs straight.
RHYTHM BUZZ, a son of 2016 Gold Cup winner, Buzz Nightmare, showed marked improvement last season, beating FUNCAANDUN in the summer at nine furlongs and 25 yards before Jason DaCosta’s foreigner turned back overseas invaders to win the Mouttet Mile.
DaCosta’s GIRVANO, who appears to stay all day, winning his first race when stretched out to seven furlongs on his fourth start, won his second in the stewards’ room at seven and a half after being hindered by UNRULY MO when advancing against the rail on April 19.
RHYTHM BUZZ has unrelenting pace, losing in splits of 47.0, 59.1, 1:12.2 and 1:25.0 at a mile, whereas GIRVANO closed on slower fractions – 48.4. 1:01.2 and 1:14.4 – when justifiably handed victory in the stewards’ room.
DaCosta doesn’t have a rabbit in the event to keep RHYTHM BUZZ honest. However, GIRVANO has worked really well and will enjoy every yard of nine furlongs out the Marlowe chute.
Having clocked 1:26.3 at seven furlongs when beating stablemate FRED THE MASTER late March, GIRVANO has the handicaps and stamina in his favour to outfinish RHYTHM BUZZ, who might have returned too soon after losing in a fast time on last.
