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Bosustow wins Gold Coast Guineas in honour of late Australian Rules footballer Peter Bosustow

Annabel Archibald nearly scratched Bosustow from the Gold Coast Guineas but believes late footballer Peter Bosustow helped carry the colt to his emphatic victory.

Bosustow races clear to win the Gold Coast Guineas. Picture: Bethany Allday/Trackside Photography
Bosustow races clear to win the Gold Coast Guineas. Picture: Bethany Allday/Trackside Photography

Peter Bosustow would have loved it.

Young colt Bosustow not only honoured the late Australian Rules footballer he is named after but also rocketed into Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap contention with a stunning Gold Coast Guineas win.

Bosustow is named after Peter Bosustow, known as “the Buzz”, who won two VFL premierships with the Carlton Blues in the 1980s and the West Australian passed away recently.

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The three-year-old colt was an accidental hero on the Gold Coast on Saturday with co-trainer Annabel Archibald revealing she considered scratching him on race morning when the track was posted as heavy.

How wrong she would have been to scratch and it was a sliding doors moment when Archibald and her co-trainer, husband Rob, decided to start the exciting youngster.

He scooted to an emphatic six-length win on a Heavy 9 track and he clearly loves the Gold Coast, having won the $3m Magic Millions Guineas at the same track in January.

Bosustow’s rating virtually guarantees him a start in next month’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

When Stradbroke betting opened, he was a $51 chance and he firmed from $26 to equal $11 second pick on Saturday after his dazzling Guineas win.

“It was an amazing win and I’m sure Peter Bosustow was carrying him the whole way there, because it was dominant,” Archibald said.

“He’s twice Group 1 placed, so hopefully we can go one better.

“We’re here for a three-pronged attack, it’s on to the Fred Best Classic next and then the Stradbroke is his grand final.

“I had messaged Mitho (owner Anthony Mithen) at 6.30am this morning to say that I wasn’t sure about a heavy track.

“He didn’t handle a Soft 7 track 12 months ago, so I was a little bit worried.”

Jockeys came back after the Guineas covered in mud, but winning hoop Josh Parr was grinning from ear to ear.

Annabel Archibald considered scratching Bosustow from the Gold Coast Guineas. Picture: Bethany Allday/Trackside Photography
Annabel Archibald considered scratching Bosustow from the Gold Coast Guineas. Picture: Bethany Allday/Trackside Photography

Parr, who also won the Magic Millions Guineas on Bosustow, said the strong speed of the Guineas helped Bosustow explode to victory.

“That was very enjoyable,” Parr said.

“The moment I found the position on the fence, I was really confident due to the speed of the race.

“He relished the ground, pulled me into the race at the top of the straight.

“Just after his two softish recent trials, I was hoping the track didn’t bring him undone and leave him vulnerable.

“But I trusted his ability, and I was glad to get the victory.”

Mithen and his business partners have a syndicate where they name young colts after football legends.

Peter Bosustow, one of the most electrifying players of the era, passed away recently but in his final years had struck up a friendship with Mithen due to the naming of the colt.

Originally published as Bosustow wins Gold Coast Guineas in honour of late Australian Rules footballer Peter Bosustow

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/horse-racing/bosustow-wins-gold-coast-guineas-in-honour-of-late-australian-rules-footballer-peter-bosustow/news-story/8c977eed45cb783f88793b5255ac9b2f