By Bren O'Brien
Glen Boss' outstanding spring could be set to become even better with The Everest winning hoop securing the ride on new G1 Melbourne Cup favourite Constantinople (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Boss may have turned 50 in August but has been riding in amazing form since returning from Singapore to ride full-time in Australia earlier this year, especially at the top level.
Earlier this month, he rode Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) to victory in the G1 Epsom H., while on Saturday, he produced a perfect ride on 3-year-old Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) to win Australia's richest race, the $14 million TAB Everest.
Earlier this month Boss rode Kolding (NZ) to victory in the G1 Epsom H.
Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, Constantinople was having his first start for David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig in Saturday's G1 Caulfield Cup, where he was the unlucky runner. After searching for a run for most of the straight, he would finish fourth, beaten 1.4l by winner Mer De Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}).
Dabernig described the run as a 'brilliant' Melbourne Cup trial.
"I think he'll be a lot more suited with the bigger track at Flemington,” he said. "We bought him as a Melbourne Cup horse. Pulling up he wouldn't have blown a candle out.
"I think he'll be a lot more suited with the bigger track at Flemington." - Tom Dabernig
"He's still a big baby, he's only three and he'll get better with racing."
The markets agreed and the colt, who is a 4-year-old by Southern Hemisphere time and will carry 52.5kg in the $8 million handicap at Flemington, has since been installed as a clear favourite for the race.
Luke Nolen rode Constantinople on Saturday but with Boss available, connections have opted to put the three-time Melbourne Cup winner aboard the Irish-bred stayer.
Glen Boss will ride the Irish-bred stayer
Boss has a strong association with Coolmore, which still holds a quarter share in Constantinople, with Yes Yes Yes also part-owned by the global giants. He is also close friends with one of the main connections in the 4-year-old, Scott Perrin.
Boss rode Ventura Storm (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) for similar connections when he finished 21st in the 2017 Melbourne Cup.
Boss' Melbourne Cup successes all came in successive years aboard the star mare Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert Sun {GB}) from 2003-2005, while the closest he has come to winning since was when he was third on Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) in 2014.
Makybe Diva (GB)
Boss is also a possibility to ride in the G1 Cox Plate on Saturday should Mr Quickie (Shamus Award), who was also unlucky in the Caulfield Cup, get a run. Boss has also won that race on three previous occasions. Makybe Diva in 2005, So You Think (NZ) in 2009 and Ocean Park (NZ) (Thorn Park) in 2012.
Managing owner in Mr Quickie, Wylie Dalziel, confirmed the 4-year-old would back-up in the Cox Plate, but there is no guarantee he will get a start with placed in the 14-strong field at a premium.
