Bosson Celebrates Te Akau Appointment in Style

The Informant writes:

Opie Bosson marked his return to the position of Te Akau Racing's number-one jockey in style at Ellerslie this afternoon.

Bosson had previously held the position in the early 2000s, enjoying several Group One successes in the Te Akau colours with the likes of King's Chapel and Distinctly Secret. Recently back from a stint in Hong Kong, Bosson's return to the Te Akau role was confirmed early last week.

Today the jockey showed his champion qualities on two occasions in the Te Akau colours, firstly playing an instrumental role as Hall Of Fame (main picture) beat a quality field in the $50,000 Conveyancing Shop Lawyers 1400 for three-year-olds.

The Savabeel colt sat in fourth place behind a strong early pace set by O'Guy. Impressive last-start winner Hurry took control of the race 300 metres from home and looked hard to catch, but Bosson timed his run beautifully and brought Hall Of Fame home to win by half a length.

“The plan was to ride him back today,” Bosson said.

“He relaxed beautifully and let down really well in the straight. He really stretched his neck out and won it well. He's a really good horse and he's only going to improve with this run. He'll be a great chance in the Levin Classic at Trentham next month.”

It was the second year in a row that Te Akau Racing have won the Boxing Day three-year-old event, having taken it out last year with star colt Xtravagant. The two runners had contrasting form lines leading into this race - Xtravagant had won the Gr. 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas by eight lengths, while Hall Of Fame delivered the worst performance of his career in this year's renewal of the Riccarton classic and beat just one runner home.

“It's great to win this race for the second year in a row,” co-trainer Stephen Autridge said.

“It's fair to say this horse isn't quite in the same class as Xtravagant at this point of his career, but he's a colt who's just kept stepping up.  Things didn't go right for him in the 2000 Guineas, it wasn't his day. But Opie gave him a great ride today and he showed what a talented horse he is.”

Bought by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $230,000 at the 2015 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Hall Of Fame has now had eight starts for four wins, two seconds and more than $97,000 in stakes. His best win to date came in the Listed Zacinto Stakes at Riccarton in October.

Group One goals now await, with Hall Of Fame nominated for the Randwick Meats Levin Classic at Trentham, the Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa and the Vodafone New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.

The TAB now rates Hall Of Fame a $12 chance in the Derby, sitting on the fourth line of favouritism behind Sacred Elixir ($5) and Highlad and Romancer (both $10).

“He's nominated for the Derby and I think he's a horse who should stay,” Autridge said. “It's good to win on these big days, and hopefully it will be onwards and upwards from here.”

Hurry stuck on well for second, completing a Savabeel quinella in the race. Wyndspelle and Night's Watch both on strongly from well back in the field to finish third and fourth.

Bosson and Te Akau struck again in the next race on the programme as Splurge edged out Selfie and Go Nicholas in a three-way photo finish. The four-year-old gelding Splurge, who is by Savabeel out of the Group One performer Splashing Out, has now won four of his seven starts.

It was the third consecutive win this afternoon for Bosson, who also won the two-year-old event on Star Treasure.