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Champion jockey Glen Boss revealed a pep talk from premier trainer Chris Waller led to his comeback winner on Girl Tuesday at Randwick’s Kensington meeting on Saturday.
“Chris pulled me aside during the week and said he felt I was trying too hard,’’ Boss said.
“It can often be the case because you are excited, you are trying to get back into it and impress everyone.
“But Chris said slow down, just relax and back yourself. I thought for Chris to go out of his way and spend 15 minutes with me, it meant so much to me.’’
Boss, who has only just returned to Sydney racing after almost a decade away where he based himself initially in Melbourne before spending three years in Singapore, scored his first city winner since his comeback on Girl Tuesday in the Spring Preview Handicap (1400m).
Girl Tuesday ($10) finished powerfully down the outside to win by a widening margin of nearly two lengths from Bangkok ($8.50) with Cradle Mountain ($9.50) a short head away third.
Godolphin import Wren’s Day was heavily backed into $2.40 favouritism but endured a wide run and finished only sixth.
Waller confirmed he did have a “friendly chat” with Boss last Wednesday.
“I did tell ‘Bossy’ that I thought he was trying too hard,’’ Waller said. “But I also told him he’s a good rider to have back in Sydney and we will use him a lot more.’’
Boss, a member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame with 82 Group 1 wins, including three Melbourne Cups, seven Doncaster Miles, two Golden Slippers and three Cox Plates, again demonstrated why he is going to be an asset to Sydney racing with his brilliant ride on Girl Tuesday.
“She was pretty impressive,’’ Boss said. “I’m tipping the sectionals will back up how it looked because she was really quickening through the line.’’
A breakdown of the sectional times supported Boss’s observation with Girl Tuesday sprinting her final 600m in fast 33.2s.
Girl Tuesday, who is superbly bred by Winx’s sire Street Cry out of multiple Group 1 winner Tuesday Joy, also renewed an old association between Boss and the mare’s owner-breeder, John Singleton.,
“When I first came to Sydney way back in 1994, I rode a couple of two-year-old winners for Singo,’’ Boss said. “It’s always a good feeling winning in his colours.’’
Girl Tuesday improved her record to six wins from 12 starts with Waller believing the mare can develop into a contender for the Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 5.
After making a blazing start to her race career winning her first four starts, Girl Tuesday seemed to lose her way during the Sydney autumn carnival before winning the Anzac Day Cup and finishing in the minor placings in the Lord Mayors Cup and McKell Cup.
“I think it was just the wet tracks,’’ Waller said of Girl Tuesday’s indifferent early autumn carnival form. “She bounced back to form on Anzac Day when she got back on a decent track. She was impressive today but the fast tempo helped her. She is at her best over further and we will set her for The Metropolitan.’’