The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Bois D’Argent ($9.50) is back in the winners’ enclosure after securing a dominant victory in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
The son of Toronado had been winless since causing a boilover in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in May of 2024, with the now eight-year-old being rated to perfection by Melbourne-based hoop Ethan Brown.
Bois D’Argent was sent straight to the top by Brown and was not for catching in the $250,000 feature, with the gelding ticking over some moderate sectionals throughout the journey, aided by the pattern of the day at Randwick.
New Endeavour () seemingly had every chance to make an impression after finding the one-one under the urgings of Tim Clark, while Encap () ran accordingly after drifting badly in the market.
Hezashocka ($9 with Dabble) and Naval College ($15) finished off well to add some value for exotic players, however they were all playing for minor money as Bois D’Argent was off-and-gone at the furlong pole.
It’s the seventh win at start 34 for the stable warhorse as Annabel Neasham spoke post-race.
“I think he ran nearly three identical fractions. Ethan rated him beautifully,” said Neasham.
“I don’t think he’s won since the Doomben Cup last year. Last prep he didn’t come up at all so we abandoned ship and put him away.”
“He’s come back really well. His first-up run behind Pride Of Jenni was quite big. I thought he ran ok last start but he was just a bit fresh in the run.
“We thought he would be in the first three or four in running. Early, I didn’t think he stepped that well and I thought he might have to do a bit of work but they ended up getting the front comfortably. It was almost a carbon copy of his Doomben Cup win.
“We’ll go to the Doomben Cup. Whether we go straight there or whether we go to the Hollindale, we’ll see how he comes through.
“I’m really happy with him and a good first-up run from Naval College, too.”
Ethan Brown then spoke to the tactics post-race.
“I knew we’d be in the first four but I felt early that there was minimal pressure and he was right there so I thought I’d let him stride,” said Brown.
“Once we established the lead and they left us alone, he got into a lovely rhythm. We were able to build from the 600 (metre mark) and he was rock hard fit so we used that to our strengths and it paid off.
“You wouldn’t think he’s an eight-year-old. He carries on like a four-year-old. He’s got a lot of life about him and he was primed for today.”
Bois D’Argent is now a $7 chance with Playup for the Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on May 10.
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