Neasham banking on Usain Boss to bounce back at Randwick
Annabel Neasham is the first to admit she would usually spell a two-year-old after an inglorious debut performance, but she has opted to persist with Usain Boss in the hope he can rebound at Randwick.
After convincingly winning a jump out in Victoria, Usain Boss started well in the market for the Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield last month but failed to beat a rival home, finishing 15 lengths astern of the winner.
It was a performance that left Neasham scratching her head.
“I don’t know what happened because his jump outs were really good and he is a beautiful horse,” Neasham said.
“He just looked like a drunken sailor down the straight. I actually thought he had gone amiss. The ground really disintegrated during the day, so maybe it was the ground.
“But he is a lot better than that.”
The stable brought Usain Boss back to Sydney where the youngster has continued to please them.
Neasham decided to roll the dice and give him another run, most likely in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m), although an awkward draw could tempt connections to wait another seven days.
“Often I would turn them out after a run like that but we got him back up to Sydney and he has done nothing but please us in his work,” Neasham said.
“We thought we would run him again because it was too bad to be true and see if he could bounce back to what we thought he was.”
Neasham and partner Rob Archibald will also be represented by Southern Prince, a son of Trapeze Artist raced by the stallion’s owner Bert Vieira.
Southern Prince has been accepted for the Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday and is an emergency for the BJ McLachlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but while Neasham is still to consult with the colt’s ownership group, she is favouring keeping him in Sydney.
“He’s a big, scopey horse. He is doing everything professionally and he has won a trial, but I’d say he is going to be better next time in,” she said.
“So we will probably just stay at home, give him this run and pop him out for a bit more time.
“I would have preferred 1200, but I have put the blinkers on because he’s quite a casual customer and if they overdo it up front he will be coming home late and that will bring him into it.”
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...