A dynamic ride by big race jockey Glen Boss on Hvasstan delivered an emotional win in the Group 3 $150,000 Starlight Children’s Foundation Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield today.

Electric Fusion and Hvasstan

Hvasstan (pictured inside) delivered an emotional win for trainer Peter Gelagotis in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Autralia

Trainer Peter Gelagotis was in tears remembering his father Mick who passed away during the week following a life time involvement in the racing industry.

“It’s been an emotional week. I just wish dad could have hung on for the next couple of weeks to have seen us get to the Derby regardless of the result,” Delagotis said.

“He was a passionate racing man. He loved his racing. He’s given us the biggest start you could ever wish for and I hope we can carry on his hard work. ”

Gelagotis will now push onto the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 3 with the Norman Robinson always one of the major form lead up races.

Boss looked in trouble at the 300m with a wall of horses in front of him and after switching from going to the outside beat favourite Kabayan to an inside run and after forcing through, moved up along the fence to gain a nose victory over Honorius who gained second on protest over Electric Fusion.

“We put the mouth guard into today, gloves off,” Boss said.

“There was horses shifting around in front of us. I was going to take the run to the outside, a horse shifted out in front of me so Nash and I were going for the same run, but it’s all great, great fun, good toe to toe stuff.”

Boss has a big opinion of Hvasstan ($6) and said the three year old is learning and improving with every run.

“This horse felt like he brought his A game today. He’s growing up quickly this colt. He getting it now, in the run he was very good, took a very small gap which he wouldn’t have done a month ago.”

Nash Rawiller had the chance to lead but elected to take a sit on the $3.10 favourite and after being third on the fence coming to the home turn, was beaten for the run that the winner got and was out of contention from the 250m and missed a place.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.