Nic bosses rivals
Group winning mare Bossy Nic took her stakes tally past $500,000 with an impressive win at Flemington on Saturday, February 15.
The $82,500 first prize of the Flemington Long Lunch (1200m) took the earnings of the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained mare to $554,475 with a record of four wins and five placings from just 18 runs.
Jockey Beau Mertens rode a superb race on Bossy Nic, smothering her up early in the field of 11 before producing her past the 200 metres and the mare sprinted powerfully to claim victory.
Bossy Nic ($7.50) won by three-quarters of a length from Titan Of Choice ($41) with Material Dreams ($8.50), a half-length away third.
Trainer Calvin McEvoy said Bossy Nic was a talented mare which loved Flemington.
“She loves the straight,” McEvoy said.
“It was a confident, beautiful ride from Beau (Mertens). He nearly won on her a couple of starts ago and we love this mare.
“She won a Group Three race (Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes) at her second start as a two-year-old with Dean Holland on board.
“She just grows a leg down the straight and with a bit of cut out of the ground.
“We have to thank Jen and Mark Hinkley and the whole crew, they have been patient. When you win a Group race with a filly at their second start, then it is a while between drinks you have to be patient, but she will get back to that.
“Beau rode her confidently and she was there for him at the end.”
McEvoy said the upcoming Adelaide carnival was a possibility for Bossy Nic, but the trainers would be looking for tracks with cut out of the ground.
Winning jockey Beau Mertens agreed Bossy Nic loved running down the Flemington straight.
“She really enjoys the straight racing,” Mertens said.
“I rode her two starts ago had a similar run, but just didn’t quite get the head in front.
“Today when I put her in where there was a lot of room she picked up nicely and when she got the clear air she sprinted powerfully.
“I didn’t notice the wind today because we were quite covered up in the run.
“Bossy Nic was super impressive.”