Previously unheralded galloper Bosun will chase a big payday when the newfound winning machine starts favourite in the $100,000 TABtouch Westspeed Platinum Spring Series Final (1600m) at Belmont.
The six-year-old only debuted last December after being plucked from obscurity by trainer Mitchell Pateman’s brother, Josh.
However, the bay has thrived this campaign, winning at his past three starts across June, August and September.
He has revealed slashing closing sprints on each occasion and the son of Gingerbread Man meets similar company with a similar weight this weekend.
“He’s obviously much better than Westspeed Platinum grade,” Mitchell Pateman said.
“He’s got to tick the mile box on Saturday but he’s racing like that won’t be an issue.
“He carried 60kg last start, so I wouldn’t imagine that would worry him. As long as he gets a relatively good drag into the race, I would’ve thought he would get over the top of them.”
The gelding was placed at three of four runs before his successful streak, but he has continued to improve with more racing.
The next seven horses in the betting for Saturday’s race were all beaten by Bosun last start, emboldening his trainer’s confidence.
“He’s probably a better horse than I ever thought he was. The way he’s going, his win the other day was enormous,” Pateman said.
“Simon’s horse (Swift Talker) gave a really good kick at the top of the straight and I thought, ‘well, we’ll find out how good he is today’ and he gathered it up in two strides.
“Any horse that can do that is well above average.”
While Bosun is a commanding $2.05 fancy, Pateman also saddles $5.50 hope I Love Ya Money.
The four-year-old – also sired by Gingerbread Man – was four lengths behind his stablemate a fortnight ago but Pateman says a more passive steer could reap a better result.
“He’ll be ridden a lot more conservatively on Saturday,” he said.
“I don’t think he’s got the class of Bosun but if he could run second or third, we’ll be happy.”
+ Some of WA apprentice jockeys will have a chance at a cup coup when they venture to Mingenew on Saturday.
The country town will renew their annual meeting, and a $30,000 purse sits at the end of their 2000m cup.
Apprentice jockeys Tara Atherden (Hard Questions, $2.25f), Sharni Webster (Fries With That, $4), Tiana Murray (Got Lucky, $10) and Jason Li (Space Ace, $12) all look chances to take home the trophy.
+ Beiwacht ($3.30f) remains the market leader for Sunday’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield after a scintillating last-start victory in the Memsie.
Oliveanotherday ($6), Jimmysstar ($7.50) and Extragalactic ($8.50) – who will be partnered by Sydney-based hoop James McDonald – are next in line.