A convincing victory in the first stakes race on the card at Te Rapa has provided rider Opie Bosson with a tough decision leading into the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) later this month.
Bosson stuck with the unbeaten Trobriand in Sunday's Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and despite jumping from the outside barrier in the eight-horse field, the son of Kermadec proved too professional for his rivals as he eased clear in the final stages to make it three from three to kick off his career.
2023 Eclipse Stakes Replay – Trobriand
Bosson was also aboard stablemate Tokyo Tycoon on Boxing Day as he made it two wins from two starts, with the leading hoop now left to make a decision on which of the Mark Walker-trained runners he will partner in the Karaka Million as he looks to add to an outstanding record in the race where he has been aboard five of the last six winners.
“He just does what he has to as he is such a professional little horse,” Bosson said.
“The blinkers helped him out today and although I had to work a little from the wide gate, he relaxed well outside the leader and did the job well.
“He is such a laidback type that the blinkers just sharpened him up that little bit.
“He was travelling nicely and had a good kick as the strong 1200m was right up his alley.
“It is now about working out which is the right horse (to ride in the Karaka Million), so I will go home and have a talk to the bosses and sort it all out.”
Walker also provided the runner-up in the race with Talisker dashing home late for second and was pleased with both horses as they cemented their places in the Karaka Million 2YO field.
“It was good and you can do anything with him (Trobriand) as he has such a great temperament,” he said.
“It was a good ride by Opie as he summed things up nicely early on and this is a very nice horse.
“Talisker was also very good and probably needed just a little more cut in the ground.
“We will see how they both pull up overnight, but I would be surprised if they both weren't in the Karaka Million.”
Trobriand now heads the qualifying table for the Karaka Million 2YO and is currently rated the equal second favourite at +400 with online bookmakers behind Tokyo Tycoon (+300) with Talisker at a +600 quote.
Bred by Windsor Park Stud, Trobriand is raced by the Te Akau Island Paradise Racing Partnership and was a $260,000 yearling purchase by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis out of the stud's 2022 Book 1 draft at Karaka.
Windsor Park will offer a half-brother by Russian Revolution as Lot 39 during the Book 1 Sale at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka which starts on January 29.
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