Second Taupo Triumph

Former Te Akau apprentice Opie Bosson saluted for the second time on the day, in the tangerine silks, when guiding athletic galloper Rapid Gain (4 g Flying Spur - Occasional Gain, by Lunchtime) to a dominant victory in The Darci Brahma Maiden 1300 metres on Aug. 19 at Taupo - appropriate when you consider that David Ellis selected and purchased Darci Brahma..

Purchased by David Ellis for $90,000 at the 2011 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Rapid Gain broke through at his third start. In the mould a strapping Aussie sprinter, standing 16.3hh and weighing 600kg, he had resumed from a successful tie-back operation with a bold run off the front for second at Rotorua.

Given time to find his feet on this occasion, he settled eighth in running and stood the leader seven lengths at the 600 metres. He strode around stylishly to issue a challenge on straightening and sprinted clear at the 200m, such was his acceleration and length of stride.

Te Akau trainer Jason Bridgman has always held a good opinion of Rapid Gain and felt he had the makings of a decent galloper when coming from last for second in a trial last November at Te Aroha.

“He even got to the front too soon again today, but he gets there so easily,” said Bridgman.

“He's a horse that we will just try and work through the grades and although he's still green he can gallop.

Even jockey Opie Bosson was caught a touch unawares with the turn of foot shown by Rapid Gain.

“A horse in front of me was gone, so I thought I would just creep around them but he went whoosh and he'll be right once he puts it altogether,” said Bosson. “When he hit the front, he had a bit of a gawk around and loafed in.

Owned by a convivial group of owners in the Te Akau Rapid Gain Syndicate, he is a half-brother to Blue Diamond (Gr. 1, 1200m) winner True Jewels (Brief Truce), a race in which his sister, Wager (Flying Spur), finished second. Wager also won the Stan Fox Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m), Sir Byrne Hart (Gr. 2, 1400m) and finished runner-up in the Sires' Produce (Gr. 1, 1400m), Champagne Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m), Tea Rose Stakes (Gr. 2, 1500m), and the Furious Stakes (Gr. 3, 1400m).

Pictures courtesy of www.raceimages.co.nz

Back