A solid work-out on Saturday morning by Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) candidate Bostonian has trainer Tony Pike confident his stable star is at his peak for his biggest challenge.
The Jimmy Choux four-year-old who was born and raised at Trelawney Stud for owner-breeder David Archer, hasn’t been seen since he opened his summer campaign with a comfortable victory in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe last month.
Pike believes his charge performs best with his runs spaced and is ready to go the race of his life at Ellerslie on New Year’s day.
“He had his final gallop on Saturday morning and worked extremely well,” Pike said.
“He’s a horse that goes best when on the fresh side so we have deliberately just kept him ticking over since that Pukekohe run.
“He’s had a gallop between races at Te Rapa plus we took him up to Ellerslie for a gallop there so his fitness is good.
“Luck has fallen in our favour with a good barrier draw while his main opponents have all drawn wide.
“I would hope he can find a sit somewhere in the first five or six with plenty of speed on, then it will be up to him at the business end.”
Pike is also pleased with speedy mare Indecision who races in the Trelawney silks and will back-up in the Railway after a comprehensive victory in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) on Boxing Day.
“She’s mainly been in the pool since that Ellerslie win although she had some light work on Saturday,” he said.
“She is in-form and deserves a shot at a race like this, especially with a light weight and decent draw.
“It would be wonderful for her owners if she could get some Group One black-type so that is what we will be trying to do.” -NZ Racing News
