Sydney’s weather forecast has done little to boost trainer Ron Quinton’s confidence ahead of the June Stakes meeting at Randwick.
Rain is predicted for at least two of the days leading up to Saturday and although Boss Lane’s record says he has won two races on heavy tracks and one on soft, his trainer thinks the statistic is an anomaly.
The sprinter is one of 18 entries for the Listed June Stakes (1100m), his second start from a spell.
“He’s won two races on a heavy track at Canterbury but he can’t seem to handle a heavy track anywhere else,” Quinton said.
“He’s a funny horse. He’s by Dubawi and they usually go well in the wet but he’s not mad on it.
“And Andrew (Adkins) said he didn’t really handle it at his last start.”
Boss Lane finished seventh on a soft track at Randwick last Saturday week behind Kudero, one of his likely rivals again.
His doubts about Boss Lane aside, Quinton is sure Adkins can maintain his lead in the Sydney apprentices’ premiership to add his name to the list of champion junior riders to come through the stable.
Quinton put the polish on Hugh Bowman, who is now the country’s leading Group One rider, and more recently Sam Clipperton who is in equal fourth position on the Hong Kong premiership in just his first season.
“I’ve been lucky that I’ve been able to pretty much hand-pick the apprentices I’ve had,” Quinton said.
“But they’ve got to apply themselves and be dedicated.
“And if they don’t want to work as hard as I do, then I don’t want them.
“I’m very proud of their achievements, particularly Hugh and Sam.
“Andrew has the work ethic to be successful as well.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s Canterbury meeting, Adkins has a nine-win lead over James Innes Jr.
Adkins has the chance to extend his advantage with six rides at Canterbury while Innes will be back from a careless riding suspension on Saturday.
Among Adkins’ Canterbury rides is the Quinton-trained The Gavel, a last-start winner at the track in a similar benchmark 72 race over 1900m.
