Racing: Turf War

Melody Belle and Danzdanzdanz (below) will clash in a quality Bonecrusher Stakes field at Ellerslie. Photo / Race Images

Champion jockey Opie Bosson doesn't want to chose one of his equine loves over the other for tomorrow's Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie.

Because while Bosson his hoping he adds another group one with Melody Belle in what has become the surprising highlight of Cup day, he is also hoping his other occasional dance partner Danzdanzdance goes a great race too.

"Melody Belle beating Danzdanzdance by a nose would suit me," smiles Bosson.

Bosson has ridden both to win group ones this summer but as the main man in the saddle for Te Akau he is committed to Melody Belle for tomorrow's $200,000 weight-for-age thriller.

But he admits he would be happy to be on either.

"They are very different mares but both very, very good," explains Bosson.

"Danzdanzdance is at her best when she can settle and then maintain a long run whereas Melody Belle should settle handier and she is all class.

"I wouldn't like to say who was better because I honestly don't know. It might come down to the way the race is run.

"If the speed is on and the horses back in the field can get into the race late then that would suit Danzdanzdance but if they go a bit slower, which they can do in weight-for-age races at Ellerslie, then Melody Belle might have the advantage.

"But I don't have any concerns with the 2000m for Melody Belle because she relaxed beautifully three wide without over over a mile last start." While Bosson wants to win with Melody Belle he hopes Danzdanzdance performs well because he will be on her in the Ranvet Stakes in Sydney in two weeks.

Danzdanzdance. Photo / Trish Dunnell

Both mares would handle any easing of the track but Danzdanzdance would probably appreciate it more yet Bosson says she felt super in her work between races at Ellerslie last Saturday on a Good3.

"It was firm there last week and she felt great, very smooth. Her work was really good so it should be a great race."

While Bosson knows both Melody Belle and Danzdanzdance, who will be ridden by Craig Grylls, inside out he admits to knowing next to nothing about his Auckland Cup ride Vengeur Masque, a situation he was going to remedy with a video session last night.

"I saw him on the TV in the Melbourne Cup (15th) and that is about it but I'll watch all his videos and he looks a good ride." The set weights and penalties conditions of he Cup aid the likes of Vengeur Masque, Charles Road and Five To Midnight who all come in carrying fair weights rather than the crazy 60kgs topweights which so often wildly favour the 53kgs minimum horses who have dominated our major staying races in recent years.

While Avondale Cup winner Glory Days has that luxury tomorrow (53.5kgs) she gets only 2.5kgs off Five To Midnight as opposed to the 6.5kgs difference in their weights three weeks ago.

While Bosson is happy to be on the favourite Yourdeel in the $200,000 Sistema Stakes on Saturday he admits the outside draw and some trackwork on Tuesday worries him.

Not Yourdeel's trackwork, which was spot on, but that of stablemate and race rival Equinox who Bosson also worked.

"I couldn't be happier with Yourdeel and both he and Aotea Lad are going to be hard to beat but I also worked Equinox in the blinkers on Tuesday and he felt like a different horse.

"He has a good draw on Saturday and he could be the surprise horse in the race."