A spectacular return to form by Boban in the Chipping Norton Stakes has completed a two-state Group One double for the Schofield family.
Just 20 minutes after Chad Schofield won the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on Lankan Rupee on Saturday, his father Glyn was reunited with Boban in the 1600-metre feature at Warwick Farm and extended his perfect record on the Chris Waller-trained gelding to six.
In the process, the pair lowered the colours of It’s A Dundeel who raced in the Arrowfield silks for the first time.
Suspension cost Schofield the ride on Boban for the first two starts of his preparation with Nash Rawiller steering him to unplaced runs in the Expressway and Apollo Stakes.
Rawiller admitted he and Boban failed to click and Waller said the return of Schofield was the defining factor.
“Glyn is the difference,” Waller said.
“He rode with confidence. I can’t explain it but some jockeys just get on with some horses better.
“It’s very satisfying to see the horse back and reinforces that you should stick to your guns and not change anything.
“You can never be too confident but I could see how well he was travelling.”
Schofield and Boban tracked It’s A Dundeel throughout the race and the winning rider said he was confident a long way out.
“At the 800 metres I could hear James (McDonald) clicking It’s A Dundeel up and I knew he was going to be in trouble,” Schofield said.
“And after Chad won I knew I had to lift my game.
“It often happens that as soon as he rides a winner, I do the same but never in races like this.
“It has been frustrating watching Boban and I’m glad to be back on him.”
Under Schofield, Boban ($4.80) showed the turn of foot that won him the Epsom Handicap and Emirates Stakes in the spring to stride past odds-on favourite It’s A Dundeel ($1.85) to win by a length with the winner’s stablemate Hawkspur ($16) the same margin third.
It’s A Dundeel, who is being promoted as one of the major stars of The Championships, gained a pass mark from his trainer Murray Baker.
“He was beaten by a better horse on the day,” Baker said.
“He may have been a bit fresh but we had our chance.
“He had a trial but he hadn’t had a race and you can’t beat a race.”
It’s A Dundeel will step up to the 2000 metres of the Ranvet Stakes in two weeks while Boban heads to the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) a week later.
