Glen Boss insists Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park) will not peak until next month’s $5 million All-Star Mile but the champion jockey still expects him to take plenty of beating in the Futurity Stakes.
Kolding forms part of a select field of eight for Saturday’s weight-for-age Group One Futurity (1400m) which will be the Sydney gelding’s first start at Caulfield, and first in Melbourne, ahead of the All-Star Mile (1600m) at the same track three weeks later.
Boss has already won the Group One Epsom Handicap and the inaugural $7.5 million Golden Eagle in Sydney on Kolding this season and believes there is a sense of timing about him.
The Chris Waller-trained Kolding ran fourth in his first run back from a spell in the Expressway Stakes in Sydney earlier this month and Boss said the gelding was still a bit big in condition.
While he believes Kolding is still not at his top for Saturday, he expects the likes of New Zealand star mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth will still have their work cut out beating him.
“I’m expecting him to nearly win, just because he’s that style of horse,” Boss said.
“He either wins or just gets beaten. He’s been beaten twice in his last nine starts and both of those were first-up.
“He’s not a first-up horse, so I’m actually nearly expecting him to win but I’m just saying he will be better after this event.”
Along with the Golden Eagle on Kolding, Boss has also won the $14 million Everest on Yes Yes Yes this season.
Kolding has secured his spot in the All-Star Mile having finished third in voting behind Alligator Blood and Melody Belle, and Boss believes he is the right horse with the right form reference to give him the chance to claim another of Australia’s new rich races next month.
“He’s been a very good horse to me this season and he’s tracking very well at the moment,” Boss said.
Melody Belle, chasing her 11th Group One win, was the $2.80 Futurity favourite on Thursday just ahead of three-year-old colt Super Seth ($2.90) and Kolding ($3.30).
Kolding and Melody Belle both gained experience at Caulfield when they galloped separately on Tuesday morning ahead of their first starts at the course.
Super Seth, who takes on the older horses for the first time, has won four of his five starts at Caulfield including the Group One Caulfield Guineas and will eventually retire to stud at New Zealand’s Waikato Stud.
