Red Ora Draws Favourably In Bolton Sprint Return
27 July, 2016
Thoroughbred
Red Ora’s return in the Bolton Sprint (1200m) was boosted after he drew barrier three in the final feature race of the season at Belmont on Saturday.
The Dan Morton-trained gelding, racing first up without a trial, hasn’t raced since finishing eighth to Young Lionel in the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) in March.
Jason Brown will partner Red Ora for the first time, replacing William Pike who commenced an 11-day careless riding suspension on Sunday.
Brown is chasing Pike’s record haul of four Bolton Sprints after claiming a winning hat trick with Cool Business (2002), and Golden Delicious (2003-04).
Red Ora, a winner in 8 of 16 starts, has been successful twice from three first-up attempts.
Pike partnered last year’s Bolton Sprint champion, Rebel King, Celebrity Miss (2014), Marasco (2008) and Is Amazing (2007).
Rebel King is searching to become just the fourth horse to win dual Bolton Sprints, joining Grand Nirvana (2008-09), Golden Delicious (2002-03) and Doctor Golly (1991-94).
Rebel King, prepared by Darren McAuliffe and to be ridden by apprentice, Jordan Turner, will start from barrier seven.
Turner can join his father on the Bolton Sprint honour roll after Troy Turner combined with Star Shot in 1994.
Rebel King, who missed the Beaufine Stakes with a lacerated heel, appears back on track after winning a Lark Hill trial over 930m on Monday.
First Among Equals, from the in-form Simon Miller stable, will start from the extreme outside gate in barrier 12.
The Exceed And Excel gelding celebrated his best win last campaign with a barnstorming victory in the Pinjarra Classic (1300m).
Paul Harvey, who won the Bolton Sprint with Papillion (1999), will partner, First Among Equals, for the first time.
Injury-plagued Travinator has drawn gate two for jockey, Shaun O’Donnell, the most successful starting position in Bolton Sprint history.
Rock Magic, to be ridden by Jarrad Noske, will carry the top weight of 59kg. Noske’s father Jeff steered home Star System to win the 2000 edition of the Bolton Sprint.
Rock Magic will have to overcome a weight-carrying record, surpassing Jacks Or Better who lumped 58.5kg in 1996.
Julio Santraelli
Bolton Sptint field
https://www.rwwa.com.au/cris/racefield.aspx?meeting=16762&race=7