Racing: Bosson relishing strong racebook

Two big chances in group races has Matamata jockey Opie Bosson looking forward to today's Hastings meeting.

Bosson rides Naturo in the group three $70,000 Highview Stakes (1200m) for 3-year-old fillies, and three races later climbs aboard Kristov for the group one $150,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes (1600m).

Bosson has already had a fruitful month, taking advantage of having a suspension reduced on appeal to win last week's $75,000 Merial Metric Mile (1600m) on Floydeboy.

He currently lies third on the jockeys' premiership with 12 wins, behind Michael Walker and Lisa Cropp.

His mounts' earnings of $181,858 is the fourth-best of the season behind Walker, Gavin McKeon and Bruce Herd, and he could be propelled to the top of the earnings tree if Naturo and Kristov both win.

"Most of my rides at Hastings are pretty good chances," he said.

"I'm hoping for a good day."

Bosson will ride Naturo in a race for the first time in the Highview, taking over from Jason Waddell.

"I've ridden her in her last three or four gallops and she's going very well," Bosson said.

"She tends to lay in a bit but she feels very fit and should be ready to go a good 1200m.

"She should get back and run on strongly," he said.

Naturo faces a good field today, including the in-form Chartreuse and the NZ Bloodstock Classique winner Italia, but TAB bookmakers were confident enough to have her a $1.90 favourite on the TAB fixed odds market yesterday.

Kristov ran bravely for third in the group one Mudgway Stakes (1400m) last month after working hard early from a wide draw and Bosson said he was much improved.

"His whole attitude's changed since then," Bosson said.

"He was a bit fresh last time and got toey before the start but his work has been much better since then."

From a barrier draw of four, Kristov should find it much easier to get to the front, especially with Seachange drawing nine.

"It's a short run to the first turn but if you get out quickly it's a good draw and he should be right there," Bosson said.

Kristov was yesterday a firm $4.75 third favourite. Mudgway winner Seachange had yesterday been backed into $3 favouritism, with Darci Brahma a $3.25 second favourite to reverse the Mudgway result.

Bosson has eight rides today and many look to be strong winning chances, particularly Wanganui Guineas winner Alberto in the 3-year-old race.

"He won at Wanganui while I was suspended and won with 58kg the start before against older horses so he can handle the weight," Bosson said.

Also well fancied are Cedar Manor in the 2000m open handicap, Manten in the 1200m open sprint, Vegas Showgirl in a 1400m Rating 92 race and Taiko in a rating 76.

Bosson also warns not to dismiss the chances of 2-year-old Bella Renza, well backed but beaten into fifth on her debut.

"She won a trial well at Taupo and she's got some chance but the outside draw won't help her."

- NZPA