Big race jockey Glen Boss looks the likely new rider for Perth three year old Fuddle Dee Duddle in the Group 1 $500,000 GR Engineering Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Glen Boss is the new rider for Fuddle Dee Duddle in the Kingston Town Classic. Photo by: Taron Clarke
Fuddle Dee Duddle stamped herself as a Kingston Town Classic chance with an eye catching fourth to Academus in the Group 2 $350,000 Sky Racing-W.A. Guineas (1600m) at Ascot on November 24 but trainer Lindsey Smith was forced to search for a replacement rider with Paul Harvey unable to make the filly’s weight this Saturday.
Harvey has been aboard Fuddle Dee Duddle at her three starts this campaign and as well as riding her in the Guineas was aboard when winning the Group 3 $200,000 Skyy Vodka Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 17.
But Harvey has no chance of making the filly’s weight of 50kg she has to carry under the weight for age scale and managing part owner Eddie Rigg is confident he has secured Boss for the ride.
“We’re excited about getting him,” Rigg said.
“We have spoken to his manager and expect to get a confirmation email soon. Fuddle Dee Duddle is doing really well and I am excited about her running.”
The top Victorian rider has already made a successful trip to the west for this year’s Festival Of Perth Racing and as well as saluting on Peggie’s Dream in the Listed $80,000 Carlton Dry-Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) at Ascot on November 24, finished third on Rosie Rocket behind Mr Moet in the Group 1 $1m Carlton Draught-Railway Stakes (1600m) on the same day.
And he was also runner up on Starlight Lady in the Listed $80,000 Tattersall’s Cup (2100m).
Boss is riding in best career form and is currently leading the Melbourne jockey’s premiership on twenty-seven wins and has just come through a very successful Melbourne Spring Carnival with three Group 1 wins on New Zealand four year old Ocean Park.
Boss was able to win his third Australasian weight for age championship with Ocean Park running down three year old All Too Hard in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 27 after scoring on Makybe Diva in 2005 and ten time Group 1 winner So You Think in 2009.
Ocean Park and Boss also combined during the Spring to win the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 22 and the Group 1 $400,000 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 13.
Fuddle Dee Duddle is currently a $17 chance in the Kingston Town Classic with local hero Luckygray heading up the betting at $2.70.
Playing God, who is searching for his third win in the Kingston Town Classic is the second pick at $5 with the Grant Williams trained Ranger at $9.
First up Railway Stakes winner Mr Moet is at $12 to make it back to back Group 1 wins.
