Boots Like Bruce bolts away with H G Bolton Sprint at Belmont

Progressive speedster Boots Like Bruce punctuated his rise through the local sprinting ranks with a scintillating victory in Saturday’s Listed $125,000 H G Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont. Boots Like Bruce ($6.50 on TABtouch), who entered Saturday’s hot contest the least experienced runner with just 14 starts to his name, showed customary early toe but was soon accosted by Puli ($13) and Man Crush ($14) who dashed clear. While Charleton Eddie ($51) slid up his inner, jockey Patrick Carbery was content to sit three lengths from the tempo with many behind niggled to remain in tact. Approaching the turn at the 400m, Carbery closed ranks on the leaders and made his move to the outside and moved to challenge with 250m to go. Despite being a quirky galloper who can veer from side-to-side and carry his head proudly, these idiosyncrasies did not haunt Boots Like Bruce as he showed a terrific turn of foot to zoom clear. Others could not inflict a dent on Boots Like Bruce who bolted away to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Man Crush and Saloon Bar ($8). After winning just a 66+ rated race last start, Boots Like Bruce appreciated a drop from 60kg to 54kg for Saturday’s assignment and provided trainer Anne King with a memorable win. “He’s the best he’s ever been and the lower weight suits him,” King said. “Patty (Carbery) gave him a great ride and positioned him beautifully. “He’s quirky but he’s awesome - I can’t believe it.” Carbery said despite the gelding’s lack of racing nous, there was plenty under the hood and was confident he had the necessary horsepower to win. “He’s got a lot of ability, besides being green,” Carbery said. “Today, he jumped well and travelled lovely in the run. “I knew a fair way out they wouldn’t catch him.” Top Albany trainer Steve Wolfe, who suffered a heart attack on Friday morning, was given a revitalising tonic when both Ginger Green ($8.50) and Little Silver ($8) saluted to supply the respected horseman with a double. Both gallopers were given virtually identical rides, sitting in third place trailing the speed and produced to capture the lead rounding the turn. Ginger Green moved to a distinct lead at the 350m mark but was soon challenged by Fine Touch ($6) and The Spruiker ($26) on either side. However, under the hard riding of hoop Paul Harvey, Ginger Green fought tigerishly over the final few hundred metres to again press on and score from a late-closing and somewhat unlucky Wango Award ($10) and The Spruiker, who was Wolfe’s only other runner on the day from his team of three. Little Silver erupted past Siberian Siren ($3.60f) on straightening to establish a notable lead, with Miss Drakova ($5.50) fleetingly looking a hope as she ducked back to the inside. But rider Shaun McGruddy, who has long preserved a close relationship with Wolfe, kept the four-year-old gelding going to succeed by a length-and-a-half. Feature winner Patrick Carbery celebrated a double after his earlier win with Desennea ($12), but the nation’s leading jockey William Pike walked away with riding honours after scoring a hat-trick aboard Cleanemup ($1.65), Russian Sniper ($2.65) and Sentimental Belle ($4.80) who all started favourite despite their varying price tags. The champion hoop, who has now extended his lead to an unassailable length in the shadows of the season, will be crowned Australia’s winningest rider for the racing year next week.