Racing: Katie Lee fights to win

Opie Bosson earned every dollar of his riding fee when kicking home Katie Lee to score a stunning victory in the (Group One) $1 million 2000 Guineas at Riccarton yesterday.

Bosson encountered traffic problems on the home turn in the feature 3-year-old event and was in a bumping duel with Lisa Allpress and Kaaptan trying to work into clear galloping room.

With 200m remaining, the pace-setting Military Move and jockey Mark Du Plessis had kicked clear of the field and were set to record a well-deserved upset victory - however someone forgot to tell Bosson and Katie Lee.

The athletic daughter of Pins unleashed a staggering sprint down the outer to win by a length over Military Move with a further neck back to Clapton.

Katie Lee fought hard to push out and gain room in the home straight and once she was balanced by Bosson responded brilliantly.

Hamilton-based co-trainer Graeme Rogerson was in buoyant mode after another sensational Group One victory.

"You don't see any better an effort than this as this filly couldn't win with a furlong to run as she was flattened twice by that bumping duel but just picked herself up and kept charging," said Rogerson.

The win was the first Group One victory for the training partnership of Rogerson and his wife Debbie.

The filly was a $300,000 yearling purchase by Cambridge Stud owners Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan.

Sir Patrick revealed he would have scratched the filly if Bosson had opted for another mount. Bosson had also been offered the ride on the Mark Walker trained King's Ransom.

"It was a big call to go to the Two Thousand Guineas," Sir Patrick said. "To be honest I said all along if Opie chose another horse she just wasn't running."

That was because the target for the filly was next Saturday's One Thousand Guineas.

"I was not going to be putting another jockey on, not because I didn't think they were not good enough, but I really wanted the One Thousand Guineas. I was worried I had stuffed it up here if she did not go any good, so it was a big gamble."

Sir Patrick and the Rogersons will monitor Katie Lee's recovery to see if she will take her place in the One Thousand Guineas. She could go on to race in the New Zealand Oaks.

Katie Lee has been a model of consistency throughout her nine start career scoring four wins and four minor placings.

The filly has been a regular user of the new equine pool at the Rogerson's training complex to help negate some minor feet issues.

Shaune Ritchie, who trains Military Move, was proud of the Volksraad gelding's effort.

"Halfway down the straight we thought we were going to win the race and he fought really well."

Clapton, one of the outsiders from Joanne Hillis' Wingatui stable, ran on well for third ahead of the Walker pair, Corsage and King's Ransom. Favourite Keyora who raced on the pace, faded to seventh.

Peter McKay, who was to have two Guineas runners, ended up with none. Warrentherooster was scratched after injuring himself on Friday, while Joey Massino was withdrawn at the barrier.

COUP ALIGN outclassed and out sprinted a quality field of sprinters to win the (listed) $45,000 Pegasus Stakes.

The 4-year-old was in merciless form, jumping straight to the front and running the opposition into submission. He scored by 1 lengths over the fast-closing Vonusti. There was a further 2 lengths back to Ketchiben (third).

All honours were with Coup Align who won with plenty in hand and will strip a fitter horse for Wednesday's $100,000 (Group Three) Stewards Handicap at Riccarton.

Another Stewards contender who will be improved after yesterday's outing was the fourth placed Al Qurhah who tracked the pace making winner throughout and battled gallantly in the home stretch.

Coup Align has compiled a daunting career record under the guidance of local trainer Michael Pitman scoring seven wins from 11 starts.

Another runner to catch the eye was the second placed Vonusti who charged home late in a pleasing trial for the $250,000 Coupland's Bakeries Mile on Wednesday.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA