Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson faced with tough decision
NEW ZEALAND jockey Opie Bosson is faced with a tough decision, but it’s a decision most jockeys wished they could make.
The stable jockey for Te Akau Racing has been getting plum rides all season, but now he has to decide between riding Gingernuts in Australia or riding an up-and-coming talent in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
It was confirmed by co-trainer Stephen Autridge on Saturday that Gingernuts will be heading to the Emirates Stakes at Flemington on November 11, but that’s the same day as the 2000 Guineas back in New Zealand.
Bosson would have the choice between impressive Saturday winner Embellish, which scored its second win from three starts, or the mightily impressive Te Akau Shark.
Both Guineas runners are at single figure odds for the NZ Cup week feature (Embellish $4 at Sportsbet), but Gingernuts is a special thoroughbred and Bosson has already had success in Australia with the four-year-old.
He won the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas last season and he could have won a Caulfield Cup had it run, but the rescheduling of the Livamol Classic put those plans to bed. Subsequently, two big race days now clash for the Te Akau runners.
The difference in prize money is $500,000, which shouldn’t be overlooked, and the uncertainly of three-year-olds in New Zealand could factor into his decision.
Bosson would have a hard time splitting Embellish and Te Akau Shark might lead him to take the ride on Gingernuts.
The Emirates Stakes features a nominated field that’s arguably better than the 2017 Cox Plate. Included in those nominations is none other than mighty mare Winx.
Whether or not Winx does line up after the Cox Plate is a big query, but either way we believe Bosson will have to take the ride on Gingernuts as you don’t get those opportunities very often.