Cox Plate Plans For Boban?

Saturday, 09 November 2013 05:48

Chris Waller is already considering next year's WS Cox Plate for exciting weight for age candidate Boban, winner of today's Group 1 Emirates Stakes.

"Having had a taste for it at this Carnival, the Cox Plate sounds pretty enticing", Waller said.

Boban beats Smokin' Joey

"He'd have to continue to learn to settle but being out of an Oaks mare it always gives you that confidence if you step up to 2000m"

A former tearaway, Boban has been taught to settle in his races by Waller's training. The ability to relax in his races is paying big dividends.

"He's no longer a horse that has to be snagged back to near last and taught to settle because he actually jumped with them, held his position and did settle and to win good races you need to be able to do that", said Waller.

"Chris Waller and his team have turned this horse around from a tearaway rogue to what we've seen today and through the Carnival and I'm just the lucky guy to get on his back", said winning rider Glyn Schofield.

Boban

"The gate today allowed me to be that little bit closer but I was a tad concerned when Toydini allowed Spurtonic to sit out in front of him and I thought I was a length and a half further back than I wanted to be."

Boban ($3.80-$4.60F) settled mid-field and produced a powerful finishing burst to win by a half neck from Smokin' Joey ($21) with a short head to Speediness ($10-$9) in third place.

Trainer of the moment Wez Hunter capped off his stellar performance of training two winners from two runners during Cup Week with a Group 1 second from Smokin' Joey. The $180,000 second prize cheque his biggest in a short training career.

Boban

Waller was impressed with the determination shown by Boban in holding out Smokin' Joey.

"I thought he was the winner at the 100m but he had to find a lot in the last 100m and that shows that he fights as well".

"He was out of petrol and had to dig very deep so it was a brave win".

"He's made me look pretty special but the horse now has confidence and it's simple as that."

Boban will now spell with an Autumn campaign in prospect.

"He is a pretty exciting horse heading towards the autumn and beyond", said Waller.

"The way he is racing he might get 2000m but we'll just take one step at a time and take him through a weight for age path in the autumn because there are plenty of nice races at home for him."

"Even the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, they're talking that will be spruiked up with a big prizemoney jump so that could be the right time to try him over 2000m"

Photos: Quentin Lang