KEY POINTS:
Opie Bosson had the perfect argument when taken into the inquiry room for his pre-winning post-whip flourish on Darci Brahma in Saturday's $200,000 Sharp Telegraph at Trentham.
"Because it's been a long time between drinks," Bosson told the stipendiary stewards when asked for a reason.
"Fair enough," came
the reply, "you're let off with a warning."
Bosson also had another trump card if he'd needed it - the fact that Patrick Holmes was let off with a similar warning after one of the most spectacular flourishes winning the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton on Magic Cape.
After a stop-start career with only a couple fewer retirements than Dame Nellie Melba, Bosson has been back a while now and riding better than anyone.
But a group one on Darci Brahma - his first ride on the horse - is REALLY the kick start of his revived career.
Bosson came up with a delightful line at the victory presentation.
"This feels so good I have to wonder why I bothered giving up so often."
This wasn't just about Bosson, this was also reaffirmation for Darci Brahma at racing's elite level after so many were starting to give up on him, but most of all it was about the class and determination of his trainer Mark Walker and his ability to successfully manage pressure.
When a $1.1 million untried yearling walks in the front gate you think the pressure can't get much worse - then it does.
Much worse.
In preparing a horse like Darci Brahma for a group of breeders who jumped on the train for only one reason - financial gain from a potential sire - how often you win is critical.
But how often you lose is equally critical, regardless of the number of victories.
Every beaten performance is a rain cloud for potential stallions and retirement at exactly the right moment is essential.
Walker has had to walk the knife edge so many times with Darci Brahma.
Walker's previous career highlight was winning the Kelt Capital Stakes with Distinctly Secret, but on Saturday he rated this victory right up there on the same level.
"Possibly the most satisfying," he said.
Walker once again has the biggest pile of chips on the table in front of him with Darci Brahma, but that doesn't lessen the pressure because Darci Brahma will now go forward to the $150,000 Waikato Draught Sprint then there is Australia again.
Seachange again showed what a magnificent racemare she is.
She does not have the same electric sprint at 1200m that Darci Brahma has, but that didn't stop her trying to match strides with the winner when he loomed alongside at the 230m.
Seachange looked in magnificent condition - probably the best of her career and trainer Ralph Manning said yesterday the mare had come through the race in great shape.
"I need to talk it over with Ralph at the track tomorrow morning, but I'd say we'll go through with the plan to go to Melbourne now," said Seachange's racing manager Rick Williams.
Their first race will be the Orr Stakes, a 1400m weight-for-age event at Caulfield on February 10th.
"Unfortunately the only mares races are handicaps and she's get huge weights, so we have to tackle the males," said Williams.
The Orr Stakes has similarly been declared for outstanding filly Miss Finland and El Segundo, regarded by many as Australia's best racehorse.
* Darci Brahma's win is almost certainly not the finish of Bosson at the Trentham carnival.
He will ride Sir Slick in the $200,000 Thorndon Mile this Saturday. Sir Slick, with Bruce Herd in the saddle, totally eclipsed the $60,000 Anniversary Field on Saturday under 58kg, putting the pressure on rivals to such an extent that not one runner could make ground in the closing stages.
He continues to be New Zealand's most underrated horse.
Bosson also galloped his Wellington Cup ride, Australian stayer Respect.
"He's certainly a stayer - there's no question about him getting the 3200m," said Bosson.
