The newly minted combination of Te Akau Racing and leading rider Opie Bosson were quickly back doing what they do best, when they struck early on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.
Progressive three-year-old Hall Of Fame carried Bosson and the familiar tangerine-and-blue colours of Te Akau to an impressive victory inthe third race of the day, the Conveyancing Shop Lawyers-sponsored three-year-old 1400 metre contest.
It was the Savabeel colt's first appearance, since finishing down the track in the Group One 2000 Guineas at Riccarton last month, when well favoured.
Carrying topweight of 59.5kg, Bosson settled the colt just off the speed, after jumping well from the inside barrier. Pacemakers Hurry and O'Guy set a steady tempo, with Bosson biding his time, as he stalked the pair approaching the home turn.
Savabeel filly Hurry shook off her immediate challengers at the 200-metre mark, but succumbed to the driving finish of Hall Of Fame, as Bosson asked for his final effort in the closing stages.
"Things didn't go right for him at Riccarton and they have to in Group One races," admitted co-trainer Stephen Autridge, when questioned about the performance.
"He's had a little let-up and was a touch vulnerable today, but he got the gun run from Opie, which was a big help. He's a gutsy little horse."
Autridge and co-trainer Jamie Richards have another three-year-old feature in mind for the colt with next month's Group One Randwick Meats Levin Classic at Trentham their aim.
"He'll go to the Levin Classic now," advised Autridge. "After Wellington, we might look at the Derby, as he has a nomination for that.
"He should stay, as he's from a staying family. He's a horse that looks like he will just keep stepping up."
Hall Of Fame was a $230,000 purchase by Te Akau's David Ellis from the Lyndhurst Farm draft at the 2015 Ready To Run Sale at Karaka. The colt has now won just shy of $100,000 from his eight career starts.
A race later, it was the turn of Hall of Famer's stable-mate Splurge to further his own Group One claims.
"He holds a nomination for the Thorndon Mile, but we'll see how he comes through his this race first," Richards said.
A $500,000 Karaka yearling, Splurge is now undefeated in two starts this campaign, following an impressive resuming effort at Hawke's Bay.
"It's good to see Opie on the team and it was another lovely ride," said Richards. "David paid a bit of money for the horse, who is raced by the same owners as Xtravagant."
