Photo Courtesy: Michael McInally
Tony Pike is hoping tonight is a case of same recipe-same result as he returns to The Valley with Damian Lane in order to tackle the $1 million Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes, with Queensland Carnival’s wrecking ball sprinter, The Bostonian.
Last time Pike was at The Valley he used Lane’s services to pilot Sacred Elixir to triumph in the 2016 Moonee Valley Vase and while he won’t have favourite backers in his corner tonight, the dual Group 1 winner does have a habit of upsetting the apple cart.
“It’s normally the other way around [they bring stayers], I can’t remember the last New Zealand sprinter to win a Group 1 feature in Melbourne, but he’s earned his shot,” Pike said on arrival into Melbourne on Wednesday.
“They let me in now,” he jokes speaking of customs officers and so they should after The Bostonian brought undone the likes of Osborne Bulls and Nature Strip in Queensland this winter.
“He did exceed my expectations I must say in Queensland, winning a Weight-For-Age Group 1 and I’m hoping he’s taken the one to two lengths improvement he’ll need for Friday Night”
“There is nowhere to hide now, the barrier makes it harder, but there will be plenty of speed,” Pike explained.
While the 45-year-old trainer landed on Wednesday this week, his five-year-old charge arrived seven days earlier, settling into Steve Richards Flemington stables.
“He came over on Wednesday (last week) and jumped out well and worked on the course proper really well, so he’s ready,” Pike said tackling 1000 metres for the first time.
The Bostonian is by 2011 W.S. Cox Plate runner-up Jimmy Choux and is a homebred from owner David Archer. His blue and grey silks may bring back memories to some of 2011 Toorak Handicap winner King Mufhasa raced in the same interests.
The Bostonian is expected to return for the $1 million Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes (1200m) on October 25 as part of a four run Spring assault.