Today’s Caulfield winner Spurtonic is headed to the Group 1 Emirates Stakes after an all the way win in the Group 3 $150,000 David Jones Cup (2000m).
Spurtonic scores an all the way win in the David Jones Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
A beautiful front running ride by Glen Boss saw the Gai Waterhouse trained Spurtonic score an easy win and the four year old will be given another chance at Group 1 level in the $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week.
Waterhouse took the blinkers off Spurtonic today stepping up to 2000m after running a mighty race at big odds in the Group 1 $500,000 The Star Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 5.
But Boss stole the show with a well judged ride out in front where he slowed the pace in the middle stages before increasing the tempo coming to the home turn and then when nothing challenged, Boss was able to sit up on the line.
“His form is around a mile and a quarter. Going back to the mile with the blinkers on he ran courageous, not beaten far. His future probably lies at a mile and a quarter, a mile and a half,” Boss said.
“He’s a lovely horse to ride, he’s got great rhythm, he breathes very well, relaxes super in the race and he has a great demeanour which will take him a long way.”
“The best part of the race was the last one hundred and fifty metres. He has a good future.”
Boss was delighted with the way the track was holding up since it was upgraded to a good 3 after race five and congratulated the ground staff.
Waterhouse was quick to applaud the winning ride by Boss, especially with his stop start front running tactics.
“Boss was just brilliant, absolutely brilliant. He eased them up after they had gone two furlongs and then he kicked off before the turn so the horse could slide into it. And then turned around in the final furlong and said see you later alligator,” Waterhouse said.
Spurtonic ($3 favourite) was eased down to win by two and quarter lengths from Bass Strait ($6.50) with Garud ($10) another half a length away in third spot.
