Top Jockey Opie Rapt In Darci
- Saturday, 20 January 2007 00:00
Top jockey Opie Bosson had his first ride on Darci Brahma today and is already labelling him one of the best he has ridden.
Darci Brahma, having his first start for three months, scored a brilliant win in the Group One Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham here and Bosson was initially lost for words to describe the win.
"I don't know - he's one of the best I've ridden and I've only ridden him once," Bosson said.
"The turn of foot he's got ...."
Bosson said the horse was travelling so well that he had no concerns when back in the field at the top of the straight.
"I was always going good - I knew I was going to get a gap. When he did, he just accelerated, beautiful."
Bosson said Darci Brahma was cruising when he levelled up to Seachange who had momentarily reached the lead in the straight.
"When I gave him a couple of backhanders (with the whip) he shot straight past her," he said.
Waikato trainer Mark Walker rated the win as one of the best two of his career. The other had been with Distinctly Secret in the Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings a few years ago.
"Distinctly Secret in the Kelt and this one today would be the most satisfying and Opie has ridden both of them," Walker said.
"The turn of foot he (Darci Brahma) showed today was amazing."
Walker had not played up Darci Brahma's chances in his comments to the news media before the Telegraph but today admitted his hopes had been very high though Group One races are never easy to win.
"I've never been so confident, but a Group One race is a Group One race," he said.
"As soon as you get cocky in this game, you fall flat on the your face."
Darci Brahma dashed clear in the straight to beat Seachange by 1-1/2 lengths with Kay's Awake 1-1/4 lengths away third.
The favourite Gee I Jane finished sixth.
NZPA WGT
