Opie Bosson
Trish Dunell
Opie Bosson has called time on his current stint in Hong Kong and he is looking forward to returning home later this month.
A country boy at heart, the two-time champion New Zealand jockey has successfully applied for a release from his contract to close a frustrating period of his career.
Bosson, who has ridden nearly 50 Group One winners, has struggled for opportunities in Hong Kong and it took until last Sunday for him to get off the mark for the season.
"It hasn't been the easiest time for Opie up there so he applied to come home early," his New Zealand agent Aidan Rodley said.
"He hasn't burnt any bridges and he's not leaving with his head down, he should be proud of himself.
"Opie's not one to oversell himself and he's been riding a lot of longshots up there and riding them well. It's been very hard to get good rides."
Bosson's contract will end by mutual consent on November 24 and the 36-year-old has already been in touch with one of his major New Zealand supporters.
"Opie has been speaking with Murray Baker, who's indicated he will be supporting him again when he gets back," Rodley said.
As a forerunner, Bosson will be reunited with the Cambridge trainer on Saturday when he makes a fleeting visit to partner Jon Snow, trained by Baker with Andrew Fosman, in the Gr.1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
That race will also provide a gilt-edged opportunity for Michael McNab, who is also managed by Rodley.
McNab has been booked for last season's Gr.1 Diamond Stakes winner Heroic Valour for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards following stable jockey Matt Cameron's decision to partner Hall of Fame in the Christchurch classic. – NZ Racing Desk.
A country boy at heart, the two-time champion New Zealand jockey has successfully applied for a release from his contract to close a frustrating period of his career.
Bosson, who has ridden nearly 50 Group One winners, has struggled for opportunities in Hong Kong and it took until last Sunday for him to get off the mark for the season.
"It hasn't been the easiest time for Opie up there so he applied to come home early," his New Zealand agent Aidan Rodley said.
"He hasn't burnt any bridges and he's not leaving with his head down, he should be proud of himself.
"Opie's not one to oversell himself and he's been riding a lot of longshots up there and riding them well. It's been very hard to get good rides."
Bosson's contract will end by mutual consent on November 24 and the 36-year-old has already been in touch with one of his major New Zealand supporters.
"Opie has been speaking with Murray Baker, who's indicated he will be supporting him again when he gets back," Rodley said.
As a forerunner, Bosson will be reunited with the Cambridge trainer on Saturday when he makes a fleeting visit to partner Jon Snow, trained by Baker with Andrew Fosman, in the Gr.1 Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
That race will also provide a gilt-edged opportunity for Michael McNab, who is also managed by Rodley.
McNab has been booked for last season's Gr.1 Diamond Stakes winner Heroic Valour for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards following stable jockey Matt Cameron's decision to partner Hall of Fame in the Christchurch classic. – NZ Racing Desk.