Opie Bosson is returning from Singapore to ride high-class New Zealand mare Shez Sinsational in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Trainer Allan Sharrock confirmed Bosson will arrive in Brisbane on Saturday morning before making the road trip to ride Shez Sinsational in the 1800m weight-for-age feature.
Bosson, who picked up the mount after James McDonald was required for the John O’Shea-trained Colorado Claire at Hawkesbury, has been riding successfully in Singapore for former Kiwi trainer Mark Walker.
Bosson knows Shez Sinsational well, having won on her in four of her first 10 starts.
He also was aboard the daughter of Ekraar when she crossed the Tasman last winter finishing third to Scarlett Lady in the Group One Queensland Oaks and second to Shootoff in the Group One Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.
Since then Shez Sinsational has won three times at Group One level in the Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in February and the Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie in March.
Shez Sinsational had a six-week break following her Auckland Cup triumph and convinced Sharrock she was worthy of a return trip to Queensland with a narrow win over 1400 metres at Tauranga on April 21.
Her three Group One wins has put Shez Sinsational in with strong claims of taking out New Zealand Horse of the Year honours.
Sharrock elected to head to Brisbane on a weight-for-age mission with Shez Sinsational after ruling out the Group One Singapore International Cup (2000m) at Kranji on May 20.
“I thought about sending her over to Singapore but she would have been in quarantine for too long if we hope to take her to Melbourne for the Cup,” he said.
“The Melbourne Cup is only an option at this stage as we only lease her.”
Sharrock has ruled out running Shez Sinsational in the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June.
“The Brisbane Cup would be a nice race for her but she’s only here for a weight-for-age campaign,” he said.
“Her next run will be in the Doomben Cup then the O’Shea Stakes.”
“The Brisbane Cup would be an ideal distance but I’d prefer to take her home and get ready for the (Group One) Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings.”
Sharrock is hoping sunny skies prevail and a weather forecast for rain doesn’t eventuate after last Saturday’s Eagle Farm and Gold Coast meetings were abandoned.
“I’ve never been to the Gold Coast and I’d rather see her on top of the ground,” he said.
“I just hope this fine weather stays around a little longer and we don’t get the rain that is forecast.
“She’s done well but she will probably be vulnerable this Saturday although she is a special racehorse.”
