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History of the Bolton Sprint

3 minute read

Feature racing for the 2020-21 season draws to a close this Saturday with the running of the Listed Bolton Sprint at Belmont Park.

FIRST AMONG EQUALS winning the Race 6, during Melbourne Racing at Flemington in Melbourne, Australia.
FIRST AMONG EQUALS winning the Race 6, during Melbourne Racing at Flemington in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Below is a snapshot of the races' history.

BOLTON SPRINT OVERVIEW

The H.G.Bolton Sprint, a 1200m Listed race, was named in honour of Harry Bolton, who was considered the foremost administrator of racing in Western Australia.Inducted into the WA Racing Hall of Fame (2012), Bolton was instrumental in the formation of the TAB, introduced starting gates and the movable running rail.The Bolton Sprint was first staged in 1979 and won by four-year-old entire, Hartbalm, who carried 58kg, jumped from barrier nine and ran a time of 1.11.25sec.Notable winners of the Bolton Sprint include Fimiston (1988), Jacks Or Better (1996), Grand Nirvana (2009-2010), Marasco (2008), First Among Equals (2016) , Golden Delicious (2003-2004) & Power Princess (2011).

TRAINERS

Fred Kersley holds the distinction as the most successful trainer of the Bolton Sprint, winning the race a remarkable four times in succession.Is Amazing (2007) launched his winning run and was followed by Marasco (2008) and Grand Nirvana (2009-2010).Next on three wins are Jim Taylor, Neville Parnham and Simon Miller.Taylor's golden patch commenced with Cool Business (2002) before Golden Delicious went back to back (2003-2004).Neville Parnham prepared Spook (1998), Electic (2006) and War God (2018).Simon Miller: Power Princess (2011), First Among Equals (2016) & Valour Road (2019).

JOCKEYS

William Pike has ridden a record five Bolton Sprint winners: Is Amazing (2007), Marasco (2008), Celebrity Miss (2014), Rebel King (2015) and Valour Road (2019).Jason Brown, Jason Whiting, Peter Knuckey and Pat Carbery are triple winners.Brown: Cool Business (2002) & Golden Delicious (2003-2004).Carbery: Spook (1998), Settle Strada (2013) and War God (2018).Whiting: Doctor Golly (1992), Fireband (2001) and Impressive Stats (2005).

BARRIERS

Barrier two: eight wins.Barrier eight: five winsBarrier five & six: four wins

GENDER

Geldings: 28 winnersMares: eight winnersColts: three winnersHorses: three winnersFilly: Jungle Mist (1985).

FASTEST TIME

Sky Filou (1987): 1.09.29sec.

HIGHEST WEIGHT

Marasco (2008) 60kg.

LONGEST PRICED WINNER

War God (2018) $17.

FAVOURITES

Since 2000 nine favourites have won including the past two years with Valour Road (2019) and Red Can Man (2020).

LEAD-IN RACES

Since 2000 16 of the past 20 winners have either won or placed at their previous starts.Six were first up. Red Can Man (2020), First Among Equals (2016), Grand Nirvana (2009), Electic (2006), Golden Delicious (2004-2003), Cool Business (2002).
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