Opie shows he’s the Bosson
Opie Bosson’s decision to return from Hong Kong and team up with Te Akau has been quickly rewarded with Group I glory.
The champion jockey needed all of his experience to urge Hall Of Fame home in the Group I Randwick Meats Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.
Bosson’s brilliance proved the difference as Hall Of Fame fought off a strong challenge from Savile Row to win by a nose with a further long head back to Jon Snow in third.
Bosson moved back to New Zealand in November, following an underwhelming seven month stint abroad, to take up a contract as Te Akau’s retained rider.
‘‘It’s obviously a really good feeling to get one on the board so early,’’ Bosson said.
‘‘The aim of the job is to come back and win Group I’s for the stable.
Hall Of Fame, raced by the Te Akau 24/7 Syndicate, was purchased by David Ellis from the Lyndhurst Farm draft for $230,000 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run sale.
Autridge said the victory was a great result for Hall Of Fame’s sire Savabeel and suggested the Group II Darci Brahma Waikato Guineas (February 4) could be the next start for the talented colt as he builds towards the New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 4.
On the back of his Levin Classic win, bookmakers have moved him in three points to $9 in the Derby market.
The strength of Savile Row’s second saw him moved in one point to join Hall Of Fame at $9. Sacred Elixir is a $5 favourite.
The step up to the Derby distance often splits the contenders from the pretenders but Bosson believed there were signs of encouragement in Saturday’s win.
‘‘I really like the way he stuck his head out and really had a go,’’ Bosson said. ‘‘He’s got such a good attitude for a colt.’’
Hall Of Fame jumped out smartly from barrier one to be handy on the rail, but with around 1000m to run, Bosson took him off the fence to follow Savile Row.
Bosson felt Hall Of Fame and Savile Row had over-raced badly in the middle stages due to a lack of pace in the race.
‘‘To finish off the way they did after over-racing like that, you have to be impressed by both colts really,’’ he said.
Hall Of Fame returned $3.70 on the tote. One astute punter invested $10,000 on him shortly before the race.
The inquiry siren sounded with stewards looking into possible interference from Savile Row towards Jon Snow but it was dismissed.
Meanwhile, up at Ellerslie, Hall Of Fame’s stablemate Heroic Valour was upset in a three-year-old set-weight and penalties event (1500m) by Time To Celebrate.
Under a hefty 60.5kg, the $1.65 favourite was unable to run down the pace-making Time To Celebrate and ran home one length behind in second.