Racing: Bosson the life of the party after making winning stand

An inspired decision by jockey Opie Bosson to take The Party Stand to the lead paid dividends when she won the group one New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The Party Stand had hardly ever led before the race but Bosson elected to go forward after she was awkwardly placed early on.

The Thorn Park mare was headed early in the straight by Adaline but fought back in the last 150m to win by a long neck.

"I was surprised she led, but he was caught three wide and good jockeys make good decisions," trainer Roger James said. "He made a decision and it turned out to be the right one."

Bosson said a lack of pace early on also played a part in his decision.

"They were going so slow and I was caught three wide and when Red Ruler got in, I thought I would just go forward and lead, and hope," he said.

"We were pretty much untested until the 700m when Sam (Spratt) came up beside me on Sharp Princess, but once we balanced up the straight she kept up a strong gallop."

It was Bosson's third group one this week, the other two coming aboard Titch in Wednesday's Auckland Cup and on Anabandana in the Diamond Stakes.

The Party Stand had been scheduled to go to Australia last week but plans were changed when the original nominations for the race were not strong. "It's easy to be a hero afterwards, but it was a tight decision and a very short time to make it, but we made the right call," James said.

"Three or four of the owners had booked their tickets and accommodation, but basically they left it to me and said if it was your mare, what would you do."

James said he was unsure where The Party Stand would head from here.

The Party Stand was named after the stand from which four of her owners - Brandon Allen, Jeff Driscoll, David Fanning and Simon Tremain - watched a game at the World Cup Cricket in Barbados in 2007.

Last year's winner Vosne Romanee ran his best race of the season for third.

Hot favourite Red Ruler disappointed in beating just four of the 11 horses home.

- NZPA