But Richards and his off-sider Bergerson weren't the only ones showing off training skills yesterday, as Ellis was credited by Bosson for getting him back into shape.
At 41, Bosson finds returning to the saddle increasingly harder after layoffs and he wouldn't be the only Aucklander in lockdown not feeling his healthiest when he was finally granted exemption to move south of the border.
He stayed in virtual quarantine at Ellis' property but his daily regime didn't just contain plenty of farm work but early morning gym sessions with the boss, himself recovering from a recent leg operation.
"David has been a huge part of getting me here," said Bosson. "He has helped get me in shape and in the right frame of mind and back riding, and never stops believing in me. So to win a race like this, which means so much to Te Akau, is very special."
It was a double celebration for Ellis, as it was also the birthday of his wife, broadcaster and administrator Karyn.
Noverre was the star of the show yesterday but he might not have been the fastest horse at Riccarton, as Cambridge mare Babylon Berlin sizzled down the dogleg 1000m of the Pegasus Stakes to justify her incredibly short quote for trainer Ben Foote.
The 4-year-old mare looks even stronger than last season and she
will add some tactical depth to the summer's major sprints.
Southern galloper Mr Intelligence carried the 59kg topweight to an easy victory in the $75,000 Metropolitan, the lead-up to next Saturday's New Zealand Cup.
