Peter Rubery Race Images
Leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson will take care of Group One business at home on Saturday week.
He has been confirmed by Te Akau principal David Ellis as the rider of pre-post Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) favourite Embellish at Riccarton on November 11.
Stablemate Gingernuts will run the same day at Flemington in the Gr.1 Emirates Stakes (2000m) with two riding options in place for the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained four-year-old.
“The rider of Gingernuts, if Winx doesn’t run, will be Hugh Bowman and if Winx does run then Blake Shinn is keen to ride him,” Ellis said.
“Opie said to leave it to me and he is happy to do whatever the team wanted him to do.”
A son of Savabeel, Embellish has won two of his three starts and in his final Guineas trial he beat the older horses last Saturday at Trentham.
“He has arrived at our stables at Riccarton and he’s settled in very well,” Ellis said.
“I know Opie has got a very high opinion of Embellish. He’s a very valuable colt and we would love to think that he will be standing at stud in the future.”
Embellish will be joined in the Guineas by barn mates Age Of Fire, who has been stakes placed, and the unbeaten Te Akau Shark.
“Matt Cameron has been offered the ride on Age Of Fire and Michael McNab will be on Te Akau Shark,” Ellis said.
“Age Of Fire is the big improver, he was third in the Group Three at Ashburton behind the good filly Prom Queen and his work since that race has been very good. He’s an exciting colt and we expect him to be in the finish.
“Te Akau Shark has done nothing wrong either and he will fly down to Christchurch next Wednesday.
“We’ve won nine Guineas at Riccarton - five 2000 Guineas and four 1000 Guineas and we’re excited by our chances again.”
Bosson’s rides at the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup carnival for Te Akau also includes Swing Note in the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Avantage in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Welcome Stakes (1000m). – NZ Racing Desk.