Christmas festivities will take a back seat to racing commitments for champion jockey Opie Bosson this year.
Bosson has already enjoyed a family Christmas celebration, allowing his focus to centre around racing’s busiest period of the calendar.
Heading a strong book of rides at Pukekohe on Boxing Day is the Mark Walker-trained Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel), a last-start winner of the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham for jockey Michael McNab while Bosson was sidelined through suspension.
Bosson is reunited with the Savabeel seven-year-old in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe on Monday, having already recorded four wins on the perennial Group One performer.
“He’d been knocking on the door for a while and it was great to see him get that Group One win last time,” Bosson said.
“He seems to have come through the race great too. I galloped him yesterday (Wednesday) morning and he’s jumping out of his skin. He’s taken a lot of confidence out of that win and he feels great. I’m really looking forward to getting back on him for the big one on Boxing Day.
“The horse seems really happy at the moment. He’s doing everything right. He’s in-form and he’s got the runs on the board.”
TAB bookmakers have installed Prise De Fer as a $4 second favourite for the Zabeel Classic behind last-start Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) winner Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who finished a luckless second behind the Te Akau charge in last month’s Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa.
Bosson has a strong Boxing Day book, built around key rides for Walker in feature races.
He sticks with impressive last-start Te Rapa winner Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) in the Listed Shaw’s Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m).
“He’s going well and he’s got a good draw (in barrier two). Hopefully he handles the right-handed way around,” Bosson said.
“His work has been good and he’s come through that first-up run pretty well. At this stage, he’s still untapped. He’s a very good horse and it looks like the best of him is still to come.”
Bosson’s ride in the Gr.2 ATR Eight Carat Classic (1600m) is the Walker-trained Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel), a Tauranga maiden winner in October who has cost herself with slow starts at her two runs since.
“She could be a smokie in that race. She’s got her quirks, no question, but her work has been pretty good and she’s getting more relaxed and taking everything in a lot easier. If she can begin well and get a nice run, I’m sure she’ll be thereabouts.”
Bosson was also looking forward to riding Satono Aladdin two-year-old Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) in the Pukekohe Traders 1100.
“He’s not a big horse but his first-up win was quite smart and his work this week has been good,” Bosson said.
“He’s a pretty tractable horse and from barrier three, he should get a nice run. He’s doing things pretty well.”
Bosson’s other rides at Pukekohe are Packing Rockstar (Fastnet Rock), Rocket Science (NZ) (Keano) and Miss Ella (NZ) (Iffraaj), while he will tune up for Boxing Day racing with rides in the last nine races at Matamata on Friday, including last season’s Karaka Million 3yo Classic (1600m) winner Pin Me Up (NZ) (Pins) in the Noble & Lee 1600.
“She’s dropping back in class and you’d think she’s a winning chance,” said Bosson, who picked out three-time trial winner Prince Lonhro as one to follow on the day.
“Prince Lonhro’s trials have been really good. He’s only been beaten in one trial and he was really impressive at Te Awamutu the other day. He’s quite professional. He put himself in the right place in that heat and won it easily.”
Bosson was looking forward to spending Christmas day with his wife Emily and their two children but was mindful he had a big day at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.
“We had our family Christmas last Sunday so our Christmas day will be fairly quiet. I’ll just try and not eat too much and get myself ready for the races the next day.”
