Tony Pike's The Bostonian was a dominant winner of Saturday’s Heineken 3 Canterbury S. at Randwick to follow the previous week’s winning leads of Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G1 Surround S. and Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) in the G1 Chipping Norton S.
The Bostonian also capped a dream week for Pike, who seven days ago at Ellerslie produced Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock) to land the G1 New Zealand Derby and he now seems likely to take aim at the G1 Australian Derby.
“It’s just great for the New Zealand industry and we’ve got some really nice horses. A few of the 3-year-olds from the Derby and the Oaks will probably come over as well,” Pike said.
“I thought this was the perfect race for The Bostonian, 1200 metres can be a bit sharp for him and 1300 is ideal. He likes these conditions and is good first-up.”
The 5-year-old has now won seven out of eight attempts when produced fresh and Pike had understandably been in a bullish pre-race mood.
“He was very forward and had trialled well at home.” - Tony Pike
“He’s probably a bit better right-handed and he struck firm tracks when in Melbourne so this was spot on for him,” he said. “He was very forward and had trialled well at home.”
The Bostonian began well to lob along behind the pace and once angled across the leader’s heels he scooted away for the third Group 1 win of his career following Brisbane successes last year in the Doomben 10,000 and the Kingsford Smith Cup.
“We’ll probably look at the G1 George Ryder S., but the big problem there will be the other New Zealand horse (Te Akau Shark). I’ll talk to the owner first,” Pike said.
Tony Pike
The Bostonian is raced by his breeder David Archer and family and is out of a half-sister to his former two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year and multiple Group 1 winner Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).
Rider Nash Rawiller gave the gelding the perfect ride and a major reminder of his prowess in the saddle.
“I feel like I’ve been in the wilderness for too long and it’s my first Group 1 since Hong Kong,” he said.
The Bostonian and Nash Rawiller on their way to victory
“I had to use him a bit to the first bend and I just wasn’t sure of the speed so I got a lovely trail. When I produced him he was unbeatable. Tony and the connections were very confident before the race, it’s a great thrill.”
Godolphin representative Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) was sent out favourite and she disputed the pace on the fence and kept going gamely for second and they were clear of the outsider of the field Mister Sea Wolf (Ire) (Amadeus Wolf {GB}).
Back in business
The Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip (Nicconi) came back from zero to hero with a dashing win in the G2 Hyland Race Colours Challenge S. following a below par performance when a beaten favourite in the G1 Lightning S.
Regular rider James McDonald said at times the specialist short-course performer was his own worst enemy.
“It’s that little peanut between his ears. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Chris brought him back to Sydney and got him right, as he does, and it was a brilliant performance.”
Nature Strip was coasting in front at the top of the straight and was never in danger with the veteran Redzel (Snitzel) chasing gamely, but forlornly.
“He was a bit more relaxed and in his comfort zone and he let down beautifully,” Waller said. “He’s back on track for the G1 TJ Smith S.”
Nature Strip takes out the G2 Hyland Race Colours Challenge S.
