Sir Dragonet stuns Glen Boss with effortless acceleration, next stop the Melbourne Cup
Glen Boss has sent out an ominous warning to Melbourne Cup rivals declaring Sir Dragonet’s Cox Plate win was ‘just the tip of the iceberg’ after the stayer effortlessly disposed of his rivals.
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In a sobering warning to Melbourne Cup rivals, Glen Boss has described Sir Dragonet’s emphatic Cox Plate victory as “just the tip of the iceberg.”
Boss was stunned by Sir Dragonet’s searing late speed on a soft 7 track as the Irish import used superior aerobic capacity to run down Armory and Russian Camelot at The Valley on Saturday.
“There are two things that got me about the horse, his finishing speed at the winning post and the way he way he pulled up,” Boss said.
“He pulled up that well that even Ciaron (Maher) was taken aback. It was like he hadn’t had a run.
“He’s got a really superior aerobic capacity. (Former jockey) James Winks said ‘This horse, he’s got a big tank,’ and he has.
“He was really impressive.”
Boss has been confirmed as Sir Dragonet’s Melbourne Cup rider, predicting the son of Camelot will “run top four” at Flemington in favourable conditions.
“The only thing is that he wouldn’t want is too hard a track,” Boss said.
“He might end up being a very good weight-for-age horse. He’s already won a Cox Plate, but I reckon that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“Watch this space with this horse. I was really taken aback with his turn of foot.”
Boss, 51, has logged 87 Group 1 wins and partnered some of the greats of the sport, including Makybe Diva in all three of the mighty mares Melbourne Cups.
“I rode two champions — So You Think and Makybe Diva — to Cox Plate wins, and this horse is still on the rise,” Boss said.
“Ocean Park was top class and hit a purple patch in his Cox Plate year, but this horse was incredible on Saturday.
“If he gets the right conditions and it’s not a hard track for the Melbourne Cup, he’ll be very hard to beat.”
Sir Dragonet is now a $9 second favourite with TAB behind former stablemate, Aidan O’Brien-trained Tiger Moth ($6).
Surprise Baby ($10), Anthony Van Dyck ($11) Verry Elleegant ($11), Prince Of Arran ($13) and Russian Camelot ($13) are the only other runners under $20.
ALL ALONG FOR THE KAH RIDE
Jamie Kah’s following grows seemingly by the day – and with good reason. The South Australian leads the Victorian metropolitan and state premierships with 24 and 37 wins, respectively, at strike rates of better than 20 per cent. The emergence of excellent female jockeys is hardly a new phenomenon. Victorian Jessica Eaton posted a treble at Morphettville on Saturday, when Sophie Logan was almost among the winners. Ditto at Ascot where Jade McNaught, Lucy Warwick and Beaux Banovic-Edwards figured. And there are many more accomplished women having a major influence.
VALE HAYES
The Melbourne Racing Club is mourning the death of its former chairman and committee member Kevin Hayes. Current chairman Pete Le Grand described Hayes as “an outstanding chairman and an absolute gentleman of the turf.” Peter Young hailed Hayes’ contribution to not only the MRC but “to thoroughbred racing more general and to the community throughout his long and valued business life.”
GROUND ZERO FOR PLATE PLACEGETTERS
Ancestry had first use of a sodden The Valley track on Saturday and, over 955m, put it to good use by leading all the way to win, posting impressive sectionals in the process. He clocked meeting-best splits over 800m (45.97), 600m (34.72), 400m (23.63) and 200m (11.62). By race nine, the Cox Plate, conditions had deteriorated with Sir Dragonet clocking 49.64, 37.69, 25.71 and 12.68 from the 800m to the post. Mugatoo ran 14m further than Sir Dragonet, while Arcadia Queen covered 12m more.
HEAVY TOLL
Humidor, Aspetar, Benitoite and Lunar Fox all suffered exercise-induce pulmonary haemorrhaging at The Valley. Shrouded in Mist (neck soreness), Dr Drill (foreleg lameness) and Tarcoola Mist (leg laceration) also came to the attention of stewards.
HORSE WATCH
Saturday’s Flemington blockbuster features four Group 1s, including the Victoria Derby. Buffalo River, Mr Quickie, Mystic Journey, Odeum, Flit, Farnan, September Run, Swats That, Doubtland, Young Werther, Cherry Tortoni, Albarado and Hit The Shot are among an army of likely quality contenders.
QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND
“It’s amazing. So humbled to be given these opportunities. I would have been great if there were some crowds here. Could have really celebrated, but nevertheless I’m so appreciative of everybody.”
— Jamie Kah after riding four winners on Cox Plate day.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Racing resumes at Echuca on Monday with a nine-race card before Swan Hill on Tuesday. Focus switches to Bendigo on Wednesday for the Bendigo Cup. Cranbourne hosts Thursday’s meeting before Kilmore (day) and The Valley share Friday’s double-header. Flemington will stage four Group 1s — the Victoria Derby, Empire Rose Stakes, Cantala Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes. Traralgon also races. Sunday features the Peninsula Cup at Mornington and the Mortlake Cup.
MORE HORSE RACING
Melbourne Cup next for Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet
Gerald Ryan puts Peltzer on a pedestal after Bondi Stakes victory
Cox Plate 2020: Where every runner finished in the weight-for-age championship race
Originally published as Sir Dragonet stuns Glen Boss with effortless acceleration, next stop the Melbourne Cup