Gai Waterhouse described Pureness as “a man on a mission” heading towards the Doncaster Mile and the leading trainer just hopes in-form Glen Boss can somehow stick with him.
Pureness overcame a tardy getaway in Saturday’s Group Two Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill and sustained a strong finishing sprint to win by three-quarters of a length and enhance his claims as a lightweight Doncaster chance.
Waterhouse booked Boss in the hope he could ride him in the Doncaster, but the big-race hoop at this stage is committed to sticking with Coolmore Classic winner Aloha who is second in Doncaster betting.
Boss gave up the ride on New Zealand’s premier miler Wall Street in next week’s George Ryder Stakes (1500m) to partner Aloha.
“We asked (Glen) Boss if he could ride him in the Doncaster, he said he had a couple of options but hopefully after that he’ll say, that’s it,” Waterhouse said after the Ajax.
Pureness raced midfield after missing the start and Boss started to make his move prior to the turn.
The four-year-old maintained a strong finish to defeat seasoned campaigner Mentality with Canberra-based galloper Lebrechaun another neck away third.
“He’s a horse I always thought would have a chance in a Doncaster and I said to (owner) Mr Altomonte that we will set him for it,” Waterhouse said.
“It has taken him a couple of runs to get used to this level of racing but he’s got no problems now. He’s a man on a mission.”
Waterhouse prepares glamour mare More Joyous who is the dominant $2.30 Doncaster favourite with TAB Sportsbet while Pureness tightened to $16 from $35 following his Ajax win.
Boss said having just 52 kilograms on his back helped Pureness once he was slowly away and said the son of Tale Of The Cat maintained a strong finish to the line.
“These horses that come in with a light weight that are hitting form always run well in a Doncaster,” Boss said when quizzed about his chances of figuring in the feature mile.
“Whether he can win a Doncaster I probably question, but he’s hitting form at the right time, you know he loves the mile and he’s trained by Gai Waterhouse so he ticks a few boxes.”
AAP TURF
