Two weeks after finishing second to Highland Blaze in the Banjo Paterson Series Final (2600m) at Flemington, Bold Soul returned for a rematch on Saturday and reversed that result in the A$150,000 Dean Lester Flemington Cup (2800m).
Highland Blaze was the $2.70 favourite on the strength of his two-length defeat of Bold Soul last start, but rose 2kg in the weights this time to carry 55kg. The New Zealand-bred Bold Soul, meanwhile, dropped slightly from 60kg to 59kg and was on the second line of betting at $5.
Jockey Jake Noonan had Bold Soul handily placed in fourth and one off the rail behind a moderate pace.
The field bunched up coming up to the home turn, and Noonan hooked Bold Soul out three wide to stake his claim at the top of the straight.
It turned into a fierce battle through the final 200m, with barely half a length covering the first six horses home, but Bold Soul’s fighting qualities shone through as he edged out Highland Blaze in a tight photo finish.
Noonan deflected most of the post-race plaudits on to Bold Soul’s trainer Patrick Payne.
“This win is a credit to Patrick,” he said. “I was a bit anxious with the shades going on today, because I’ve had a bit of experience with him over the years and I know what he can be like. He’s a lot more seasoned now, he’s had more racing and has probably matured, but I know that when he gives you a hard time, it’s a bloody hard time. I had to be mindful of that.
“Patrick left it to me to find a good rhythm and keep the horse happy, and we managed to pull it off.”
Bold Soul has now had 33 starts for eight wins, 10 placings and A$822,725 in stakes.
“It was a close finish,” Payne’s stable representative Neil Greaves said. “Jake got him to settle nicely and gave him the run of the race, then pulled out on the home turn. I was a bit worried for part of the straight, but the horse was so fit and well trained. He managed to keep going and get the money. It’s a great thrill for everybody.”
Greaves indicated that Bold Soul might be seen in a new role before the end of his current preparation.
“I think the intention is for him to have a run over jumps,” he said.
By Cambridge Stud’s Group One-winning son of Savabeel, Embellish, Bold Soul is the last foal of the now-retired Singspiel mare Twin Soul and was bred by Lou Te Keeti.
Bold Soul was sold at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 2 Yearling Sale for $20,000 to Wanganui horseman Hamish Auret and subsequently relocated to Payne’s Victorian operation. – NZ Racing Desk.
