Photo: Bradley Photographers via NZ Racing Desk
The Trelawney Stud born and raised Bostonian scored a bulldog-like win in the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randick on Saturday continuing the early dominance of kiwi-trained horses in Sydney's Group One autumn races.
The Kiwis have now won the first three elite races of the carnival after trainer Jamie Richards last week landed a Group One double with Te Akau Shark and Probabeel.
It was the Tony Pike-trained The Bostonian's ($7.50) turn on Saturday, the two-time Group One winner stalking a strong speed and lifting late to overhaul Savatiano ($2.35 fav) and score by 1-1/4 lengths with Mister Sea Wolf ($31) another three lengths away.
The victory gave Nash Rawiller another milestone Group One and he believed The Bostonian could continue to be a Sydney autumn carnival force.
"I've been knocking on the door but this is my first Group One since I've been back from Hong Kong," Rawiller said.
"It's good timing to get the monkey off my back going into the autumn carnival.
"We had a beautiful run behind the one we felt was hardest to beat (Savatiano) and I was able to track it as long as I could after doing a bit of work early.
"To his credit he was really strong when he came out from behind them."
Pike slated the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill in two weeks as the next target for The Bostonian which would set up a clash with Te Akau Shark.
He says the early carnival results have been a shot in the arm for the Kiwis who are enjoying a resurgence after a couple of quiet seasons.
"It's been a great couple of weeks for the Kiwis. Jamie had a super weekend last weekend which is great, two Group One wins in the same day and The Bostonian has come over and won," Pike said.
"We haven't had a lot of numbers over here yet but I think a fair few are coming over in the next few weeks after the Derby and the Oaks."
The Bostonian claimed a Group One double during last year’s Queensland winter carnival when taking out the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) but was placed just once in four starts during a four-start Melbourne campaign last spring.
Retained to race by breeder David Archer after withdrawing him from the 2016 NZB National Yearling Sale, The Bostonian has won ten of his 22 starts and earned over $1.6 million in prize-money.
He is one of three winners for Keepa Cheval who is a half-sister to champion New Zealand sprinter-miler King Mufhasa. She has a yearling colt by Iffraaj, who was bought by Ciaron Maher Racing for $80,000 at the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale in January, and a weanling filly by Almanzor. She was covered by Ocean Park last year. -AAP, ANZ Bloodstock News
The Kiwis are dominating the carnival so far!🥝
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 7, 2020
The Bostonian wins the G1 Canterbury Stakes @royalrandwick with @nashhot in the saddle for Tony Pike! pic.twitter.com/5tU0GfWVMY