Cabin crew were encouraging Opie Bosson to switch off his cellphone as his Sydney-bound flight was about to depart from Auckland last night.
Bosson was happier to continue talking about the possibility of New Zealand galloper Wall Street winning this afternoon's A$1.5 million Doncaster Handicap in Sydney.
It's something thatBosson considers a realistic possibility.
And so do increasing numbers of punters on both sides of the Tasman who have been putting their money where their mouths are.
"Wall Street has been just about the best backed Doncaster horse this week," says DoubleBet's Brian Taylor.
"We were betting $26 about him early in the week then $23, then $21, which is his current quote, and I reckon he'll shorten in to around $18."
Sunline made a mess of a couple of Doncasters, but overall we haven't had a great record in recent decades.
Wall Street, with a nice handicap of 53kg, might be about to make that record slightly more respectable.
Opie Bosson has ridden winners in Sydney, but not for a while.
"I rode Lashed in a Ranvet, without winning, but I spent two months there as an apprentice."
With his talent and his ability to relax, Bosson would not be out of place in any riding company in the world. If Wall Street is beaten today it won't be because of Bosson's contribution.
Wall Street looks the ideal horse for a Doncaster. He can race handy and has a devastating and sustained sprint in the closing stages.
Bosson hasn't been associated with the horse for long.
"He gives you a nice feel when he produces his turn of foot. He's in with a chance."
The hot Doncaster favourite is outstanding mare Typhoon Tracy, going for six straight wins.
She has a good horse's weight at 56.5kg though and even Sunline struggled in the Doncaster when the weights got up and Typhoon Tracy, as good as she is, is no Sunline.
Typhoon Tracy is at $3.10, which is short and is driven as much by weight of money as her realistic chance, followed by Chris Waller's pair of Rangirangdoo and Danleigh at $6.50.
Palacio de Crystal is at $10, Theseo at $12 and Brilliant Light on $13.
