Jimmy Choux may be a hot favourite but the Lynds stable of Palmerston North isn’t conceding the group one Spring Classic (2040m) in Hastings on Saturday to him yet.
Jeff Lynds is saddling up Booming, who is seeking to become the third consecutive Spring Classic winner for the stable following 2009 winner Vosne Romanee and last year’s winner Wall Street.
Booming’s main target this spring is the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 1, but he showed he could surprise at weight-for-age over 2000m when he won the group one Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie last Boxing Day.
He was a solid $4.80 second favourite in Thursday’s TAB markets for the Spring Classic behind Cox Plate favourite Jimmy Choux, rated a $1.50 chance for the Hastings race after winning the Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at the same course on September 17.
“Jimmy Choux is obviously a fantastic horse and he’s going exceptionally well,” Lynds’ wife Jan told NZN.
“But our horse is going really well and he will be giving him a run for his money.”
Booming ran home solidly for fifth in the Windsor Park Plate and from a barrier draw of six he should get a good position for jockey Vinny Colgan.
If he gets safely through the race he will head to Australia on Wednesday, though his programme has yet to be finalised.
Booming is 44th on the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup and Jan Lynds said his Melbourne programme may have to be geared towards earning a rehandicap that would guarantee a cup start.
Wall Street will not defend his Spring Classic title, having crossed the Tasman for the Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 8.
NZN
