‘Grey horse syndrome’: Bois D’Argent owner surprised by lack of respect for defending Doomben Cup champ ahead of Hollindale Stakes

Last year’s Doomben Cup winner Bois D’Argent is rarely fancied in betting markets and his owner has a strong suspicion why.

Bois D'Argent caused a boilover in the Doomben Cup last year. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

Bois D’Argent will ramp up his mission to defend his Group 1 Doomben Cup crown on Saturday and syndicator Grant Morgan has a strong suspicion why he is rarely respected in betting markets.

Noted frontrunner Bois D’Argent won the Doomben Cup as a $26 roughie last year and is rarely sent out under double figures in betting.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

There are some people – particularly female punters – who like backing grey horses.

But Morgan feels the colour of the stayer – combined with the fact he is eight years old – means he is rarely fancied by bookmakers or punters.

“I think it’s grey horse syndrome,” Morgan said.

“People do look at grey horses differently and, in respect to his age, I heard him referred to somewhere as an old warrior.

“Yes, his age is eight if you look at the race book.

“But because of differences between hemispheres, imports like this horse essentially lose a year when they come across on the plane.

• Mithen bid to honour footy great with horse of same name

“Our perceptions of the ages of horses, given there are so many Europeans in our system, should change.

“Eight is actually probably the peak of their powers, especially for a horse like him who didn’t race as a two year old.

“People perceive this horse as an old horse who is trying hard, but in reality he is a high-class horse.”

Bois D'Argent won the JRA Plate last start. Picture: Getty Images

Bois D’Argent was originally prepared by Francis-Henri Grafford at Chantilly and once owned by French soccer star Ecurie Lenglet.

He has been a fantastic find for Morgan and trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald.

Morgan, the CEO of Ontrack Thoroughbreds which famously syndicated star colt Brazen Beau, said Bois D’Argent would take his place in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

It is an entree to the main course of the Doomben Cup a fortnight later.

• ‘Someone else’s turn’: Kheir out to buck Annabel from Hollindale throne

With Bois D’Argent having claimed the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick last start, Morgan said the grey gelding was going just as well as when arriving in the Sunshine State last year.

“On the ratings database I use, he is on par at this stage compared to the same stage last year,” Morgan said.

“But to the eye, he looks to be going better than he was.

“He is a happy and healthy horse, like most horses when they come to Queensland they thrive a little bit more.

“Hopefully he can find a few more lengths.

“On Saturday, 1800m is probably short of his best and if there is wet weather it is a bit of a concern.”

Originally published as ‘Grey horse syndrome’: Bois D’Argent owner surprised by lack of respect for defending Doomben Cup champ ahead of Hollindale Stakes