The Bostonian wins a third Sydney Autumn Carnival Group 1 for the Kiwis with a gutsy win in the Group 1 Heineken 3 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick today.
The Bostonian, above (number 2), keeps the Group 1 winning momentum going for the Kiwis with a win in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
New Zealand trainer Tony Pike joined fellow Kiwi trainer Jamie Richards in the Group 1 winner’s stall following the wins of Probabeel in the Surround Stakes and Te Akau Shark in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.
t is great for the New Zealand industry as a whole. We have had a fair few quiet years. There are a few nice horses here, a few nice 3yos heading over after the Derby and Oaks so hoping we can have a really good carnival right the way through,” Pike said.
“Just thought this was perfect. Thought 1200m was just on the sharper side. 1300m was probably ideal fresh up. Track conditions are just ideal for him. I thought he could win the Manikato but just didn’t let go on a really firm track that night. Hope for conditions like this throughout the carnival so he’ll be competitive in whatever he runs in.”
The Bostonian was having his first run back following a disappointing 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival but raced up to his impressive first up record of five wins from six attempts to claim his third Group 1 victory.
The Bostonian was one of the stars of the 2019 Brisbane Winter Carnival with wins in the Group 1 $800,000 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) at Doomben and in the Group 1 $700,000 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm.
Nash Rawiller had The Bostonian ($7.50) quickly out of the gates and after getting into an early speed battle, took hold and gave the Kiwi the run of the race tucked in behind the leaders.
The James Cummings trained Savatiano was sent out as the $2.30 favourite and James McDonald found himself in charge of the field as heads were turned for home and looked to be going strongly before The Bostonian pounced at the 250m.
The Bostonian went on to record a one and a quarter lengths win over Savatiano with the $31 outsider Mister Sea Wolf finding third spot three lengths back.
Pike will keep The Bostonian in Sydney for the Autumn Carnival and could take on Te Akau Shark in the Group 1 $1m The Agency George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 21.
“I’ll have a talk to the owners but probably the George Ryder but there is another horse from New Zealand we’ll run into (Te Akua Shark). I did beat him with an old horse Endless Drama but he looks exceptional. But that is the obvious target.”
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