Wide barrier won’t worry Bosson
Embellish should finish powerfully in Ellerslie Classic
We’ve said it before and it’s even more true now — Opie Bosson will never die of a stressrelated disease. The odds of Bosson losing sleep over Embellish’s No 13 barrier for the Karaka Million 3YO Classic are the same as for a snow storm at Ellerslie tomorrow.
If you mentioned angst to Bosson he wouldn’t know what you’re talking about. Which means he will walk Embellish into his wide gate late tomorrow in complete relaxation, the bottom line of being our best rider.
Take no notice of Embellish being beaten into fourth at Ellerslie on Boxing Day — everything went wrong. He got back last and while stablemate and eventual winner Age Of Fire stayed close to the rail to attack the leaders Embellish was the widest horse on the corner. He finished strongly and was even run off his line late by the three placegetters. He has the addition of blinkers and if Bosson can find him some sort of economical passage early — and you’d back him to do it — he should be finishing powerfully.
Ever Loyal is as talented as any of the 3-year-olds, but the education side of his brain hasn’t quite caught up with the rest of him. He finished third to Embellish in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton after leading and Age Of Fire caught him by only half a head at his next start at Ellerslie, a race he would have won, but for losing concentration looking at the hospitality areas and infield indicator.
He overraced in front at his only start since and wilted to fourth. The sensible thing would be to disregard that performance. The lugging bit has been replaced with a Norton bit. He looks a touch of overs each way at $11 and $3.40.
Southerner Savvy Coup has a cosy barrier to tuck up behind the leaders. She was beaten less than half a length behind Age Of Fire in the Group 1 at Trentham and will get every opportunity. Co-trainer Matt Pitman believes Savvy Coup has improved on her trip north, which puts her right in this.
Kapoor is classy and is gradually learning the game with each start. Although staying will be her forte, she is capable of measuring up at this 1600m as she showed finishing second in each of her last four starts to Contessa Vanessa, On The Rocks, Demonetization and Dijon Bleu. The margins have been a neck, a short head, half a length and a head. She is going to break through and it’s not impossible this race could be it.
At $16 and $4.80 she is the eachway special.
Countess Vanessa has a nice bar- rier and Chris Waller’s Sydney visitor Scream Park has not. He has a major help though with Hugh Bowman on his back.
Coldplay is going to be a major chance to produce back-to-back victories in the $100,000 Westbury Classic following on from her gallant display to take a tough victory in the Rich Hill Mile. Dropping back to 1400m should not be too much trouble for the Baker/Forsman stable.
The same trainers are attempting to do the same with Lizzie L’Amour, who has to come back from the 2000m of the Zabeel Classic. You wouldn’t say she could not do that, but it won’t be easy.
Livin’ On A Prayer has astounded everyone with her outstanding form and particularly the way she is finishing off her races. The 55kg and No 1 barrier put her in with a chance again. Ja Ja Binks is an improver.
Residual fitness and Hugh Bowman can win the $200,000 Windsor Park Stud City Of Auckland Cup for Lisa Latta’s Five To Midnight. He has been battling big weights through the late spring and summer and with 58.5kg it won’t be the easiest 2400m, but with a nice gate and a superb horseman to guide him he’s not in an impossible position.
The 5.5kg Charles Road gets off him puts him right in contention. The wide gate looks difficult on paper, but there is a long run from the 2400m start to the turn out of the home straight and Jake Bayliss should be able to work a bit of positioning.