Champion jockey Glen Boss made an immediate impact in his first Sydney ride of the season with a narrow victory on Emerald Downs at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Anthony Cummings-trained filly, who is a half-sister to dual Group One winner Turffontein, hit the front too early in the Keune Handicap (1100m) but the winning post arrived soon enough for her to hold off United Harmony by a nose with Girls Go Racing three-quarters of a length away third.
Favourite Phenomenal Lass ($2) had to work to find the front and that effort told in the straight as she finished outside the placings in fourth.
“I thought the topweight (Phenomenal Lass) would go right to the line but it stopped and I was exposed a bit soon,” Boss said.
Melbourne-based Boss was making his first appearance of the season in Sydney after heading north to partner the Cummings-trained Smart Missile in the Group Three Run To The Rose.
Cummings trained Emerald Downs’ half-brother Turrfontein and said he had bought the past six yearlings produced by the dam, Spirit Of Grace.
The Randwick trainer will keep Emerald Downs to sprint distances in the immediate future with the Princess Series races for fillies not being considered at this stage.
“When you look at her that’s what she looks like, a sprinter,” Cummings said.
“We tried to stretch Turrfontein out to a mile (1600m) and that didn’t work, his best form was over six and seven furlongs (1200m and 1400m).
“This girl for mine is a six furlong (1200m) horse. I’ll see what Bossy has to say about her but I reckon that’s what I’ll stick to.
“Later in the preparation we might try her at 1400 metres, but today 1100 metres was nearly too far.”
AAP TURF