By MIKE DILLON
When Owen Patrick Bosson is legged into the saddle on Flanker in race four at Paeroa today, his chances are assured.
More specifically, it is the chances on his future career that are assured rather than those on Flanker, who will be his first ride as a senior jockey.
Bosson's record-breaking career as an apprentice ended on Monday when he celebrated his 20th birthday.
That means from now on he is his own boss, master of his own destiny.
It also means he will be exposed to the vague awareness in racing that we have seen too many flash and dash youngsters make a huge impression as apprentices, only to flounder directionless once on their own without supervision as seniors.
While there is truth in that belief, it rarely is the case at the very top.
The list of New Zealand's champion apprentices since 1962 is essentially an image of a stepping stone to greatness - and richness.
With the exception of 1994-95 champion Sarah Campbell and Damon Smith and Shane Udy, both of whom have crippling weight problems, almost every apprentice premiership winner has gone on to great things.
Unquestionably Bosson has the relaxed mental approach to stay on track.
His weight problem is borderline and if he can keep that under control for the next two to three years he should have a free ride for two decades.
Starting with Comette at Dargaville on October 25, 1995, Bosson had 3358 rides as an apprentice for 420 wins and $5,621,904 in stakemoney won. He won 10 times at group one and seven at group two level.
The next highest achieving apprentice was Jim Cassidy (257) followed by Brent Thomson (248), Mark Sweeney (234), Noel Harris (205) and John Harris (195).
Remarkably, the apprentice championship list is devoid of one name - Lance O'Sullivan.
That is a staggering statistic for one who went on to achieve a record 10 jockeys' premierships, but O'Sullivan himself will tell you he was a late bloomer.
And you may as well start out as you intend to continue - Flanker was a useful trials winner at Cambridge a couple of weeks ago and Bosson would love to kick his future off on a winning note.
Racing: Future in senior jockey world looks assured
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