Leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson is to consider moving his family to Australia amid uncertainty when racing across the Tasman will resume.
Bosson ended the Sydney autumn carnival as the leading Group One rider with four elite victories aboard Probabeel (Surround Stakes), Te Akau Shark (Chipping Norton) Quick Thinker (Australian Derby) and Tofane (All Aged Stakes).
The carnival went ahead under strict biosecurity protocols because of the coronavirus pandemic.
New Zealand racing is shut down and importantly, so is training under the Alert 4 lockdown meaning it will take weeks to get the horses back to full fitness before racing can start.
Bosson left New Zealand primarily to ride for Te Akau Racing with the flagship horses – Melody Belle, Probabeel and Te Akau Shark – still in Australia and likely to be prepared for spring racing in Sydney and Melbourne.
The jockey will return to New Zealand on Tuesday for 14-days self isolation and will discuss the possibility of another trans-Tasman relocation with his wife Emily and Te Akau boss David Ellis.
Emily Bosson works in racing media in New Zealand but has spent the past few weeks looking after the couple’s young son Max and their farm.
“I’ve been at an apartment for the majority of the time and have only been out to go to trackwork on a Tuesday and ride on race day,” Bosson said.
“On race day I had a room to myself but the last two weeks I’ve been with English rider Tom Marquand.
“When you get on track you get your temperature taken and then you are in the room for the rest of the day with all of the jockeys isolated in different areas.
“The set-up was really good and luckily I’ve been getting quite a few rides each day.
“Emily has been doing a great job at home but she has told me there are plenty of jobs waiting for me when I get back.
“We have to have a good chat about things and a lot will depend upon what is happening in New Zealand.
“It is something (moving to Australia) that we have to look into but nothing has been set in stone and there are a lot of factors to consider.
“I will have to talk to David Ellis and people like that so there is a lot of things that would need to fall into place before anything was decided.
“A few people have approached me about giving me rides which is quite encouraging while there might be some media opportunities available for Emily.
“I’ve probably had the best season I have ever had so I have no complaints and riding Group One winners in Australia is something you dream about.”
