Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller is already mapping out a Cox Plate path for next year for Boban after the four year old took out the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes(1600m) at Flemington today.
Boban returning to the Flemington mounting yard after winning the Emirates Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Boban kept his Spring record intact remaining undefeated from five starts and collected his second Group 1 after winning the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick during the Sydney Spring Carnival.
Waller will now aim Boban ($4.40 favourite) towards a weight-for-age career after carrying 57kgs to win today under handicap conditions, beating $21 chance Smokin’ Joey by a head with Speediness ($9) a nose away in third spot.
“He fought very hard today, he got there with a hundred metres to run, I guess he was out on all fours, out of petrol so to speak. He dug very deep and it was a brave win.” Waller said.
“He is now longer a horse that has to be snagged back to near last. He’s been taught to settle. He actually jumped with them, held a position and did settle. To win good races you need to be able to do that.”
“We will just start off in a weight for age path and carefully tread the water. Even The Queen Elizabeth, they are taking about being spruiked up and hopefully be a big prizemoney jump so it could be the right time to try him over 2000m there.”
“And the Cox Plate is pretty enticing.”
Winning jockey Glyn Schofield has been on board Boban at all his five wins this campaign and was relieved to win a Group 1 over the Melbourne Spring Carnival after his son Chad won the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Shamus Award two weeks ago.
“I’m just glad I won so I can’t have him bragging about it,” Schofield said.
“I’m probably riding one of the best horses the country and Chad’s won the best race in the country, so it’s been a great carnival for us.”
Schofleid was able to have Boban racing midfield today as opposed to his recent racing pattern that saw him dropping out to last.
Mid-race Boban was travelling smoothly with Schofield just popping him off the fence at the 600m before weaving a passage through the field to claim the lead in the shadows of the post.
“He just keeps on stepping up, he had it all to do today, three weeks between runs, up in the handicap.”
Runner up Smokin’ Joey ran a mighty race coming from well back in the field to grab second just in front of Speediness who hit the front at the 100m and battled on to the line.
