Top jockey Michael Cahill is known for his low-key style but even he finds it hard to hide his respect for New Zealand three-year-old The Bostonian.
Cahill has ridden The Bostonian twice for a win in the Listed Daybreak Lover Stakes (1200m) two weeks ago and then in a 3YO handicap over 1350m at Doomben last Saturday.
The pair will be reunited in the Group Three Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) at Caloundra on Saturday.
It will be The Bostonian's second attempt at 1600m with his only other try at the distance a sixth in the Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.
But Cahill is confident the son of former NZ Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux will handle the distance without any trouble on Saturday.
“He led at Doomben on Saturday and gave me a really good kick on the turn. I think he might a bit of a horse,” Cahill said.
Trainer Tony Pike will be aiming to keep the kiwi flag flying in the winter carnival with The Bostonian.
The number of New Zealand horses at this year's winter carnival has been well down on recent years and The Bostonian's win in the Daybreak Lover Stakes is the kiwis only stakes win of the carnival.
Pike has had a good winter as he has had six wins from his small team based at Eagle Farm.
“It has been well documented that The Bostonian would have started earlier in the winter but for being bitten by a spider or green ant,” he said.
“But he is making up for lost time and second stakes win here would be just reward for him.”
“I think it was a very good win last time as they weren't winning by leading up against the rails.”
In the TAB's market on Friday, The Chris Waller-trained Seaway was the $2.50 favourite ahead of The Bostonian at $3.40 with Italia Bella ($9.50) the only other runner under double figures.