Mick Price harbours doubts about Buggsy’s current standing in the top tier of three-year-old sprinters, but the colt will be afforded the chance to prove his credentials following a first-up victory on Saturday.

The son of Harry Angel demonstrated superior resilience to outpoint his rivals in the $150,000 Chef’s Hat Handicap (1000m) at Sandown.

Despite the race not carrying Black Type status, it included the competitive Sydney visitor Incognito. Price concedes that Buggsy must elevate his game to be competitive with the elite of his age group, but feels the colt has earned the opportunity.

“Obviously he’s been Stakes-placed when he was on the way down and now you’ve got all these nice races in front of him and he is a colt,” Price declared. “You’ve got to go that way; Poseidon, Danehill, Coolmore.”

“I’m not saying he’s going to be good enough, because we are on a soft track and it’s off-Stakes form, but that’s the way he’s got to go.”

Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, has a reliable barometer for sprinting three-year-olds in Guest House, the winner of last season’s Golden Slipper.

After being headed in the final furlong, Buggsy ($3.20 fav) dug deep to score by a short-head from Jacaranda ($11), with the fast-finishing Calamari Ring ($13) a half-neck back in third. Observers noted the favourite’s strong response to secure the win.

Saturday’s event was Buggsy’s first start since his third-place finish in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1200m) on April 11. His prior outing was a debut win over 1000m at the same venue.

Jockey Craig Williams, who guided Buggsy to his maiden victory, reunited with the colt on Saturday. Williams indicated that Buggsy still has aspects of his racing to mature, offering hope for future improvement.

“He’s still thinking about other things, but when he turns into a racehorse it’s great,” Williams commented. “He’s got nice ability and he’s got very good determination.”

Buggsy’s victory was the middle leg of a treble for Williams across the opening six races. He also completed a running double aboard the Clayton Douglas-trained Final Moment, having earlier partnered Nearco Frod to its fourth consecutive win in a 2400m staying race.

With Buggsy’s promising win, the racing betting markets will be keenly watched, and Australian betting sites are expected to offer competitive odds for his next challenge.