History Of The Bolton Sprint
Feature racing for the 2020-21 season draws to a close this Saturday with the running of the Listed Bolton Sprint at Belmont Park.
Below is a snapshot of the races’ history.
BOLTON SPRINT OVERVIEW
- The H.G.Bolton Sprint, a 1200m Listed race, was named in honour of Harry Bolton, who was considered the foremost administrator of racing in Western Australia.
- Inducted into the WA Racing Hall of Fame (2012), Bolton was instrumental in the formation of the TAB, introduced starting gates and the movable running rail.
- The Bolton Sprint was first staged in 1979 and won by four-year-old entire, Hartbalm, who carried 58kg, jumped from barrier nine and ran a time of 1.11.25sec.
- Notable winners of the Bolton Sprint include Fimiston (1988), Jacks Or Better (1996), Grand Nirvana (2009-2010), Marasco (2008), First Among Equals (2016) , Golden Delicious (2003-2004) & Power Princess (2011).
TRAINERS
- Fred Kersley holds the distinction as the most successful trainer of the Bolton Sprint, winning the race a remarkable four times in succession.
- Is Amazing (2007) launched his winning run and was followed by Marasco (2008) and Grand Nirvana (2009-2010).
- Next on three wins are Jim Taylor, Neville Parnham and Simon Miller.
- Taylor’s golden patch commenced with Cool Business (2002) before Golden Delicious went back to back (2003-2004).
- Neville Parnham prepared Spook (1998), Electic (2006) and War God (2018).
- Simon Miller: Power Princess (2011), First Among Equals (2016) & Valour Road (2019).
JOCKEYS
- William Pike has ridden a record five Bolton Sprint winners: Is Amazing (2007), Marasco (2008), Celebrity Miss (2014), Rebel King (2015) and Valour Road (2019).
- Jason Brown, Jason Whiting, Peter Knuckey and Pat Carbery are triple winners.
- Brown: Cool Business (2002) & Golden Delicious (2003-2004).
- Carbery: Spook (1998), Settle Strada (2013) and War God (2018).
- Whiting: Doctor Golly (1992), Fireband (2001) and Impressive Stats (2005).
BARRIERS
- Barrier two: eight wins.
- Barrier eight: five wins
- Barrier five & six: four wins
GENDER
- Geldings: 28 winners
- Mares: eight winners
- Colts: three winners
- Horses: three winners
- Filly: Jungle Mist (1985).
FASTEST TIME
- Sky Filou (1987): 1.09.29sec.
HIGHEST WEIGHT
LONGEST PRICED WINNER
FAVOURITES
- Since 2000 nine favourites have won including the past two years with Valour Road (2019) and Red Can Man (2020).
LEAD-IN RACES
- Since 2000 16 of the past 20 winners have either won or placed at their previous starts.
- Six were first up. Red Can Man (2020), First Among Equals (2016), Grand Nirvana (2009), Electic (2006), Golden Delicious (2004-2003), Cool Business (2002).
Julio Santarelli