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Quality Flemington book for Bosson; Stayer confirms Riccarton trip; Auret family to the fore; Carters winning the battle; Khan to relish two mile trip
Quality Flemington book for Bosson
Opie Bosson is a jockey in demand with seven confirmed rides at Flemington on Saturday, including two for the powerful Darley operation.He will don the familiar Godolphin blue colours aboard the John O’Shea-trained stablemates Magic Hurricane (Gr.1 Mackinnon Stakes) and Knoydart (Gr.2 Linlithgow Stakes).
Bosson will also be partnering Dal Cielo (Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes) for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Danny O’Brien’s Miss Rose de Lago (Gr.1 Myer Classic) and the Brent Stanley-prepared Red Alto (Gr.1 VRC Derby).He has also been claimed by O’Brien for She’s Got Speed (Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes) and Michael Moroney for Tivaci (Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes).
Stayer confirms Riccarton tripCanterino will take on stakes company next time out after a convincing win at Te Rapa on Monday.
The six-year-old was successful for the seventh time in his injury-troubled career when he claimed the Skycity Hamilton 2100 with a performance that confirmed he was on target for the Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup.“He can run in the Metropolitan first, but if his fitness levels are right then he might go straight into the cup, we’ll assess it as we go along,” co-trainer Peter McKay said of the gelding, who has twice suffered suspensory ligament injuries.
Auret family to the foreSaintly Ripa completed a memorable holiday weekend for the Auret family with her debut victory at Woodville on Monday.
She is prepared at Wanganui by Nigel Auret, whose son Fraser trained the first Group One winner of his career on Saturday when Julinsky Prince triumphed in the Windsor Park Plate.By Rip Van Winkle, Saintly Ripa is a daughter of the former Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes winner Saint Cecile.
“She’s a lovely, big filly and we’ve thought a lot of her for a long time,” said Nigel Auret, who bred and races the three-year-old with his wife Adaire.Carters winning the battle
Cambridge trainers Tim and Margaret Carter are winning a mental battle with the progressive Arizona Blizzard.The four-year-old followed up his Te Awamutu maiden success with a defeat of the Rating 65 sprinters in Monday’s Te Rapa Wholesalers Cars 1200.
“It was a better field than he was up against last time and he’s proved he’s got something,” Margaret Carter said. “It’s his mind we have to train more than anything and he’s getting there.”Khan to relish two mile trip
Co-trainer Murray Baker has no concerns about Mongolian Khan mastering the ultimate distance of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup."He stays well and he’ll be ready for the 3200 metres,” he said. "He’s not running on Saturday. There’s no need to and I don’t want to risk him when he’s right.”
Mongolian Khan has improved since his win in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup and he is likely to have one more gallop to top off his preparation for the Flemington feature, according to Baker who prepares the four-year-old with Andrew Forsman.