Bosson to return to Queensland to ride Shez Sinsational

International jockey Opie Bosson will make the return trip to Queensland this weekend to partner Shez Sinsational in the Group 1 $500,000 Kirks Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Bosson flew in from Singapore two weeks ago to steer Shez Sinsational to a narrow win over Lights Of Heaven in the Group 2 $300,000 Gold Coast Turf Club A D Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on May 5.

The Group 1 winning mare has gone ahead nicely since winning at the Gold Coast on a heavy track and trainer Allan Sharrock is looking for more improvement leading up to Saturday’s clash with Manighar who has taken all before him over the Autumn.

“She’s a very versatile mare and she’s improved a lot since the Hollindale Stakes,” Sharrock said.

“The Hollindale was the first time she has won on a heavy track and she’s much better on top of the ground.”

The Kiwi trainer looks like getting his wish with fine weather predicted for the remainder of the week after ground staff served up a perfect racing surface at Doomben last Saturday for BTC Cup day.

Shez Sinsational showed her potential in Brisbane last Winter with placings in both the Group 1 $400,000 Treasury Casino Queensland Oaks (2400m) and the Group 1 $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm but hit a purple patch over the Summer in New Zealand winning three Group 1 races.

The Ekraar mare took out the Group 1 NZ$150,000 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on December 26.

Sharrock gave her a short ease up then after an unplaced run at Trentham produced her to win the Group 1 NZ$150,000 International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 11.

Shez Sinsational’s other Group 1 victory came in the 3200m NZ$380,000 Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on  March 7 before she was sent for another break.

The four year mare arrived in Queensland in terrific order and fought out a tough win over Lights Of Heaven for Bosson who was having his first ride on her.

Apart from lining up against the Autumn weight for age star Manighar who has drawn barrier one, Shez Sinsational will be also have a rematch with Lights Of Heaven who has come up with barrier six  in the Doomben Cup.

Bosson will be looking for some early luck in the run to the first turn on Shez Sinsational after coming up with gate eleven in the thirteen horse field.

Sharrock’s Winter plans will be to give the mare one more run after Saturday in the Group 2 $250,000 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 2 before heading home to prepare for the Spring.

“She’ll have her next run in the Eagle Farm Cup then we’ll go home and look at the spring there with her,” he said.

“There’s some nice races back home for her but I think it will be a little too tough going to the Cups over here.”

“But she’s got a wonderful constitution so I wouldn’t rule anything out yet.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.