Racing
Nic out to be Bossy in Aurie’s Star
The Aurie’s Star Handicap down the Flemington straight is expected to suit Bossy Nic first-up.
The Tony and Calvin Mcevoy stable expect the straight track and being able to get her toe into the ground will suit Bossy Nic in her return run at Flemington.
Bossy Nic runs first-up in the Group 3 Aurie's Star handicap (1200m) on Saturday and will be looking to expand on her record of two wins and one minor placings from four starts over the course and distance.
The now five-year-old won at her second start down the straight 1200m course capturing the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes in March 2023.
The McEvoy's racing manager Rayan Moore said Bossy Nic looked suited in Saturday's contest.
"She's got a really good straight track record having won the Thoroughbred Breeders as a two-year-old and last preparation she won down the straight on a soft track on Lightning Day," Moore said.
"The set-up on Saturday looks ideal. It looks like we'll be in the soft range. She's had the one trial this time in, on the synthetic at Ballarat, so she goes into this nice and fresh.
"She trialled the other day without the blinkers on, and we know she's a mare that really appreciates getting the blinkers on.
"Going into the preparation, we're an 88 rater, but there's a bit of a tail to the Aurie's Star this year. There's some there in the 80's and 90's, like we are, and there one in the 70's.
"Obviously, the top few, the Hayes boys' Joyful Fortune and the Corstens' pair of Marble Nine and Lady In Pink are quality horses.
"It's a really good kick-off option for us and as we get further into the campaign we can take her into some more Black Type races."
That early Stakes win as a two-year-old saw Bossy Nic feature at the top of the weights in three-year-old races.
While Bossy Nic contested feature races, it wasn't until she was dropped in grade that she found winning form again, and it was a benchmark 90 contest that was her only win as a four-year-old.
But Moore and the McEvoy's believe with age and maturity, Bossy Nic has more to offer and could extend out in trip.
"I wouldn't say she was in the wilderness or anything like that, but she had to race up the top of the weights in those three-year-old races and last preparation she really shone when she got her toe in the ground," Moore said.
"Even her runs down the straight on top of the ground were exceptional.
She was placed behind A Little Deep at her last start who went on to run fourth in The Goodwood and if A Little Deep's in this race, she's probably favourite.
"She's a good quality mare and I think we're in for a really good prep."
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