3 minute read

Bostonian ready for Railway; Marsh scores Harley at Ellerslie; Fiscal Fantasy on track for Final;

Bostonian ready for Railway

Smart Cambridge galloper Bostonian is heading in the right direction as he prepares for the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Trainer Tony Pike gave Bostonian an exhibition gallop between races at Te Rapa on Saturday and was pleased with his hit-out.

Ridden by Vinnie Colgan, Bostonian was timed to run the final 800m of his work in 47.72 and the last 600m in 34.83.

“He’s thrived since his fresh-up run,” Pike said.

“His coat wasn’t through when he ran in the Counties Bowl, but he’s come on a lot from that and he looks really well.

“He enjoyed his day out and had a nice hit-out. It was perfect leading into the Railway.”

Bostonian has won seven of his 10 starts and he is unbeaten in his last four appearances.

He picked up a hat-trick of wins during a Queensland winter campaign last June and after a good spell he was an impressive fresh-up winner of the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe late last month.

Colgan has been Bostonian’s regular rider this campaign and he gave Pike a glowing report after the exhibition gallop.

“Vinnie said he was relaxed and felt good,” Pike said.

Marsh scores Harley at Ellerslie

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is taking up a new hobby after winning the Wood For The Trees & Auckland Harley Davidson Bat Out of Hell (1200m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.

Marsh won a Harley Davidson after he quinellaed the race with Molto Veloce and Raposa Rapida and while he doesn’t currently have a motorcycle license Marsh said he is intent on getting one in order to ride his new acquisition.

“It was quite exciting and something a little different, it was a great concept,” Marsh said.

“We had a decent crack at it, we had four in it, and got the quinella. It was really exciting to win the race.

“I will ride it. Most people said I’ll sell it, but I’m going to get my license and it will definitely be a bit of a hobby and weekend thing for sure, I’m looking forward to it.”

Fiscal Fantasy on track for Final

Trainer Frank Ritchie has pint-sized mare Fiscal Fantasy ready to roll for her big mission at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day following her win over 2100m at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The daughter of Skilled earned a crack at the Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final (2200m) with a late charge to victory against her rating 65 opposition after getting held up in the run home.

It was Fiscal Fantasy’s third win from 13 starts and, as Ritchie said, what she lacks in size she makes up for in heart.

“She deserved that win,” Ritchie said. “She hadn’t had much luck this time in and because of her size she gets pushed around a bit.

“Jason (Waddell) rode her beautifully and, being held up like she was, played into her hands.

“She’s got a good finish and she showed it.”

Fiscal Fantasy’s latest campaign began with an unlucky second behind The Mitigator over 1600m at Hastings then she flashed home for fourth to the highly rated Rhinestone Cowboy over the same trip at Ellerslie.

Her next start, also over 1600m at Ellerslie, also resulted in her being held up when third to Fancy More.