It was a grandstand finish in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) as the Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea-trained Boognish (+1000) got the head down in a blanket finish at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon.
She had it all to do from barrier 16, with local superstar jockey Jamie Kah electing to drag back towards the rear of the field, leaving the speed battle up front.
Wonderful Tonight (+2000) and Tropicconi (+4000) burst clear to the top to set the Morphettville course alight, setting a hot tempo throughout the 1200m, allowing some of the key chances to come into play in the concluding stages.
Laced Up Heels (+700) surged to the lead and looked to have them all covered before a wall of horses mounted a late challenge to the wire.
Grey River (+600), Right To Party (+1000) and Atlantic Spirit (+6000) were spread across the track and all had claims as the winning post approached, but in the end it was Jamie Kah and Boognish getting the head down where it mattered most, while the former trio produced some terrific dividends for exotic players.
It was all about the winner in the end as Boognish made a sustained run from the rear of the field to chalk up career her first black-type win at start 12.
2024 Proud Miss Stakes Replay – Boognish
Co-trainer Will Clarken was on course to breakdown the victory and credited and expert steer by Jamie Kah before alluding to what might be next for Boognish.
“She deserved to get her black type win,” said Clarken.
“Obviously it’s come on a big day, we really stepped off her for a while after she didn’t find the line over 1500 (metres), applied a huge amount of pressure this week and really screwed her down for today and it paid off.
“I gave Jamie no instructions today, didn’t know whether to chance her arm and try and get outside lead or let her balance up and I thought after a couple of hops she was going to go forward and then she got back in a beautiful rhythm, she’s just worth so much.
“With the farm we can back off them without going to the paddock, if she does it’d only be for a short amount of time and then logical would be she’d come back for the Spring Stakes and plan something out for Melbourne.”
Jamie Kah was elated with the victory and spoke to the mares’ exceptional turn-of-foot.
“It was quite funny because the one thing Will said not to do is just don’t give her a squeeze because she’s flying,” said Kah.
“I gave her a squeeze because she was taking a while to pick up and she just took off, and I was five, ten, twenty wide around the home corner and she wasn’t entitled to win that and she won super.
“I’ve won on her here before, she ducked up on the inside, her turn of foot is massive and I think this trip really suits her, I know they stretched her out but I think keeping her fresh and keeping her at this trip, if she runs like that every time, I think they’re doing something right.”
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