Splurge "Splashes Out"

Hot in the saddle following his win aboard Hall of Fame (Savabeel), Opie Bosson was seen at his absolute best aboard Splurge (4 g Savabeel - Splashing Out, by O'Reilly) in the $50,000 Shaw's Wire Ropes Rating 75 1200 metres on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

Remaining in the same grade after resuming with a two and a quarter length win in the Rating 75 1200 metres at Hastings, Splurge put himself in the race from the outset and Bosson allowed him to stride along freely in front.

Tackled in earnest to either side at the 200 metres, both horse and rider defiantly defended the challengers to prevail by the barest margin (nose) at the line.

“The plan was to ride him back behind them, but he jumped so well and put himself there quite easily, so I just had to play with that and try and get him to relax,” Bosson said.

“He looked to sky his head a little bit at the 800m, so I let him slide and although he laid out in the straight it was a good effort and when he saw a horse come up to his outside he stuck his head out.

“He's still a big goof and still learning, and whatever he does now is a big stepping stone to something bigger later on."

Recording his fourth win from seven starts, Splurge ($3.90 tote, $4.25 fixed) ran the 1200 metres in a creditable 1:09.8 and last 600m in 33.8.

“This horse is part of the 2014 Te Akau Breeding Syndicate and the four horses have won something like fifteen races, by a total of around fifty lengths, and this is the closest win they have ever had,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis who purchased Splurge as a yearling from the draft of Waikato Stud, at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.

“The syndicate was here this time last year winning with Xtravagant, so I am proud to have won another race for them as they are champions and it's another example of the outstanding job that Steve (Autridge), Jamie (Richards) and all the Te Akau team are doing,” he said.

Splurge holds a nomination for the $200,000 Thorndon Mile (Gr. 1, 1600m) on 28 January at Trentham.

“It was a great win,” Richards said.

“With Hollywood Lass, the speed in the race coming out at the start, I think Opie made the right decision to go forward but probably as his career continues he might be a better horse racing back a bit and attacking the line.

“Opie said he did get there (to the lead) too soon.

“David (Ellis) paid a bit of money for him and he was a lovely looking colt, a great example of what a thoroughbred should look like and aren't these Savabeel's flying?   It was really pleasing, we've had a few issues with him but the owners have been patient and he's on the right track,” he said.

His dam, Splashing Out, commenced her racing career with a hat-trick of wins, culminating in the Thoroughbred Club (Gr. 3, 1200m) at Caulfield, before finishing second in the Ascot Vale (Gr. 1, 1200m) at Flemington.

At stud, she has already left five-time winner Shopaholic (Pins), successful in the Vanity Stakes (Gr. 3, 1410m) at Flemington, and the Armanasco Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) at Caulfield. Along with debut winner Spending (Pins).

Splurge is from one of Waikato Studs most potent and current families including quadruple Group One winner Sacred Falls (O'Reilly), who won the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m), AJC Doncaster (Gr. 1, 1600m) twice, and George Main Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m).

Splurge was strapped by Daniel Miller.
Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz