Multiple Group One-winning sprinter The Bostonian is set to return to action at Randwick on Saturday, kicking off a Sydney autumn carnival campaign for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike.
The winner of the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and Gr.1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) in Queensland last winter, the Jimmy Choux gelding will line up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.
The Bostonian, who was born and raised at Trelawney Stud for breeder-owner David Archer, had four starts in Melbourne in the spring, headed by a third-placing in the Gr.2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) behind subsequent The Everest (1200m) placegetter Trekking. He also finished within two and a half lengths of the winners Nature Strip in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) and Loving Gaby in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m).
A stylish winner of a trial at Tauranga early last month, The Bostonian takes a strong first-up record into Saturday’s race. He has won five of his six starts in that state.
The Bostonian has drawn gate one in a seven-horse field on Saturday and will be ridden by Nash Rawiller.
“With such a small field, it’s certainly going to be a very tactical race and it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out,” Pike said.
“They’ve had quite a significant amount of rain in Sydney this week, which you would say is going to help his chances.
“I’ve been really happy with his build-up. He trialled well in early February, and then he had a gallop at Ellerslie last week that I thought was very good.
“He’s going into the race in very good order and has a great record fresh. We expect him to run a very good race.
“If he comes through it well, the George Ryder Stakes (Gr.1, 1500m) two weeks later is the logical next step.” -NZ Racing News