Boxing Day Double - Hall of Fame Fab

Gifted hoop Opie Bosson wasted no time since reuniting with Te Akau Racing, when guiding stakes winner Hall of Fame (3 c Savabeel - Around the Clock, by Galileo) to an impressive victory in the $50,000 Conveyancing Shop Lawyers 3YO 1400 metres on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

Apprenticed to Te Akau trainer Stephen Autridge in 1995, Bosson has reigned amongst the top echelon and recently came on board as number one stable rider following his return from Hong Kong.

Having his first ride back in the tangerine colours, Bosson secured a lovely spot aboard Hall of Fame, fourth on the inner, and he travelled on the bridle before looming into contention around the home turn. Once balanced in the straight, Hall of Fame set out after leader Hurry (Savabeel) and flattened out beautifully over the concluding stages.

Hall of Fame ($4.00), the tote favourite, ran the 1400 metres in 1:23.2, last 600m in 33.9, and made it back-to-back to wins in the race for Te Akau after Xtravagant (Pentire) last year.

A five-length winner of the Zacinto Stakes (Listed, 1600m) in October at Riccarton, Hall of Fall was freshened after the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), resuming off 51 days, and shouldering top weight (59.5kgs) he extended his record to four wins and two seconds from eight starts for the Te Akau 24/7 Syndicate.

Hall of Fame was purchased by David Ellis for $230,000 at the 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm.

“These are the best owners in world that own Hall of Fame and it's great to win a race at Ellerslie on Boxing Day,” Ellis said.

“We are so lucky at Te Akau that we have such incredibly supportive, encouraging, wonderful owners, and for many of them it's the second time they have won this race.  This Savabeel colt is on the path to the New Zealand Derby and I think he is a serious horse, but admittedly thought he may have needed the run today,” Ellis said.

“We are lucky that Opie (Bosson) came down and rode him on Thursday morning, the horse had a big blow and he rode him as conservatively as he could and waited until one hundred and fifty metres out before he went for him, and I think that was the winning of the race.

“It was a great effort by Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) to have him ready for this without a trial, or exhibition gallop, and they had him fresh enough to run 1400 metres.

“Being by Savabeel out of a Galileo mare, he is a pretty bombproof sort of colt, with a lovely temperament, and all the team has done a great job with him.”

Following the victory Hall of Fame was shortened into $12 by the NZ TAB for the $1m Vodafone New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m) on March 4 at Ellerslie.

The win had many positives, probably none more so than proving himself at his first course attempt which is pleasing for trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards.

“He was a little bit vulnerable today, but had the number one draw and a gun run,” Autridge said.

“He's a gutsy little horse, he'll carry on and we think he should stay, being out of a staying family”.
Opie Bosson said: “That was a great way to start; good prize money on offer and these are the races you want to be winning.

“The plan was to ride him back a few spots just to teach him a little bit this time in and he relaxed beautifully.

“I thought he might be a little bit vulnerable today, fitness wise, but he's a really good horse and stuck his head out and really dug to the line.

Safely through the run, Hall of Fame will have his next race in the $225,000 Levin Classic (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 14 January at Trentham.

“He's only going to improve and I'd be pretty confident going into to that race,” Bosson said.
Ellis also paid tribute to Teina Walters, who strapped the colt.

“Teina is a true champion, one of the best young men that Te Akau has ever had and he is really excited,” he said.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz