Trainer Michelle Bradley has a soft spot for her promising stayer Bosch, and he certainly earned an extra dipper in his Saturday night feed when he cruised clear to capture the Tai Tokerau Cup (2200m) on his home patch at Ruakaka.
Bradley had nominated the six-year-old gelding as one of her top chances on the day and after she produced Arabella to take out the second race on the card, she was shooting for a winning double.
Bosch was also hunting back-to-back victories after winning a similar event at the venue at his last start and with Kelly Myers giving him a perfect ride from a wide barrier (8), he duly obliged in dominant style.
Positioned outside leader My Maebelline Girl throughout, Myers had a lapful of horse turning for home.
She let the handbrake off at the 300m and the son of Pentire shot clear, eventually hitting the finish line four lengths clear of Fly My Wey and Mahrajaan.
Bradley was thrilled to see her charge in winning form again as she chases a start for him in a late spring staying feature.
“We went in with some confidence as he had thrived since his last run and the 2200m was right up his alley,” Bradley said.
“Kelly hadn’t ridden him before, but I was keen to get her on him when I knew Sam (Spratt) would be down at Hastings and she wouldn’t be able to ride him.
“Kelly put him in a great spot and now he has learnt to settle properly he was always trucking along nicely.
“He is certainly putting his hand up for a go at one of the Cup races in the next few months, with the Counties Cup (Group 3, 2100m) a race I would like to win.
“I grew up in the Pukekohe area so I’m a local girl and winning that race would be very special.
“We just need to sit down and work out a programme for him and hopefully he can have a decent shot at it.”
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