One of last season’s best three-year-olds showed he has come back from a winter break in fine fettle with a dashing performance at the Cambridge trials last Thursday.
The Tony Pike-trained Bostonian completed a hat-trick of wins in Queensland during the winter with victory in the Gr.3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) capping an outstanding campaign.
The Jimmy Choux gelding, who was born and raised at Trelawney, was having his first serious hit-out in a new preparation when he easily accounted for his seven rivals over 935m on Thursday.
Allowed to lob along under his own steam by rider Vinnie Colgan, Bostonian was never out of second gear as he cruised to the line under a strong hold.
“He’s come back nicely after his break and I was pleased to see how he did things in his trial,” Pike said.
“Vinnie never had him off the bridle and he was strong to the line, so it was a satisfying work-out.
“He’s never been that big, but he has filled out nicely over the winter, so we’re excited about his prospects for the summer.”
Pike has several options in mind for his charge including a possible Group One target during the Ellerslie Christmas carnival.
“As long as he does things right over the next few days, I think we might kick him off in the Counties Bowl at Pukekohe in a fortnight.
“If he goes well there then the Railway at Ellerslie on New Year’s day is definitely an option.”
The Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) is one of the highlights during Counties Cup day at Pukekohe on November 24, where another Pike runner could make an appearance in the day’s headline event. -NZ RACING NEWS