| After a 2019 to remember, champion jockey Glen Boss got 2020 off to the best possible start with a brilliant ride on Primitivo to win the $1 million Ferrari Magic Millions Trophy (2400m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday. |
The Everest and Golden Eagle-winning jockey replaced James McDonald aboard the five-year-old when the latter couldn’t make the 54kg handicap and proved an inspired choice by trainer John Thompson. The son of Sebring was given an economical run along the fence before busting into clear running at the top of the straight and putting a margin on his rivals, including placegetters Black On Gold and A Man To Match. Queensland’s fairytale galloper The Candy Man loomed as a winning chance at the top of the straight but felt his 61kg impost over the final 200m and could manage only sixth for Barry Baldwin and Brad Stewart. “I was happy to take the ride because it looked like John Thompson had really set him for this race, he had two runs leading into it and he knew he had a very clean winded horse that didn’t need a lot of work to get here,” Boss said. “We had a beautiful run, we were probably sixth the fence most of the way and we got out at the right time to give him the room.” “I knew The Candy Man would be coming but he had 60kg so he wasn’t going to accelerate like the horses with 54kg so I thought I’d get going really early on this bloke because I know he can stick on and make them chase me.” Purchased for $105,000 by DGR Thoroughbred Services out of the Turangga Farm draft at 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Primitive has now won four races and banked more than $800,000 in prizemoney for connections. Thompson deflected praise from his training efforts, preferring instead to highlight the efforts of his horse and his jockey. “It wasn’t conventional (to run over 2400m third-up) but he’s a horse that goes good on the fresh side and he’s very clean winded,” Thompson said. “I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Bossy, that was an 11 out of 10 ride.” “I’ve got a couple (of yearlings) at the sale, I actually bought another Sebring like this bloke.” |
