Racing: Bosson cops $1000 fine and ban to boot

Jockey Opie Bosson. Photo / Getty

Plenty of rough and tumble to go along with the outstanding racing at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Justice League took a spectacular toss at the 1000m in the $50,000 New Zealand Herald 3YO, going through the running rail after clipping the heels of eventual winner Xtravagant.

Opie Bosson copped a 10-raceday suspension and a $1000 fine for causing The Justice League to be pushed in behind Xtravagant. Lee Tiley escaped serious injury. Bosson's suspension ends after January 20 and Sam Spratt was suspended until after January 8.

Around 350m out in the $100,000 Eight Carat Classic, the favourite Sofia Rosa clipped the heels of Preetha Varma and crashed heavily.

Rider Vinnie Colgan lay on the track for several minutes, but seemed okay when called to the judicial room.

Sofia Rosa seemed in good condition yesterday, but Nigel Tiley was more concerned about The Justice League. "That won't do his brain much good," he said.

If Sofia Rosa's trainer Stephen Marsh didn't believe in coincidence he does after his filly's fall. "That's not far from the spot where Lucia Valentina fell." Lucia Valentina, racing in the same predominantly green and yellow JML Bloodstock colours, crashed when favourite for the Great Northern Guineas on the same day two years ago.