Racing: Rising Romance an armchair ride for laidback hoop

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Bit of pressure on Opie Bosson when he throws his leg over classy mare Rising Romance in tomorrow's $200,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ Stakes at Ellerslie.

It was Bosson, aboard Mongolian Khan, who denied the Logan team what would have been an emotional $750,000 TV3 Derby victory with Volkstok'n'barrell last Saturday.

With Volkstok'n'barrell's co-trainer Dean Logan's death yesterday there should be an enormous pressure on Bosson to "get square".

Actually, it's ridiculous to suggest Bosson could ever be under pressure - every group one ride to him is like a Westport maiden. He could go into the Kentucky Derby stalls thinking about that night's steak dinner.

That's not to say he doesn't focus - he simply doesn't stress or panic. Which is why he's our best jockey.

Bosson should suit Rising Romance, a mare who has a stress tolerance around the same level as her rider.

When Rising Romance resumed racing following a break at Ellerslie on Avondale Cup Day she walked around the parade as if she was about to lie down for a sleep.

This is a match pair, or at least until the pressure comes on at the 400m, when the adrenaline levels of both will soar.

Jumping from 1500m first up was a big ask and suddenly going to 2000m at group one level is no less severe, but Rising Romance is the type of horse than can cope.

She has drawn okay at barrier No 5, which should allow Bosson multiple options in the short run to the bend out of the home straight - a critical time in such races at Ellerslie.

Rising Romance is heading to the major races at The Championships in Sydney, a level at which - let's be fair - most of tomorrow's opposition would not cope with.

Rotten luck looks her main danger tomorrow, but taking luck out of the equation is one of Opie Bosson's strengths.

Sakhee's Soldier looked good finishing solidly into third behind Rising Romance in the 1500m race last start, where it was too short.

He should get the right run from the No 3 barrier - critical at this level at 2000m at Ellerslie - and be right in this finish.

Soriano is a warhorse. Like a few who found the footing against them at the group one at Otaki last start, Soriano was undermined, but her fifth was typical of her real grit and determination.

The No 7 draw is just wide enough to be awkward, but she cannot be discarded.

Shuka ran a shocker behind Soriano's winning effort at Te Rapa last start, but he has been beach-bumming since and has apparently freshened nicely. He is well up to this level when right and the No 2 barrier is an enormous plus for a horse of his ability.

Punting pointers

Sheer class counts:

Rising Romance, No 7, R8, Ellerslie. There is one litmus test here - how many of the opposition would you be on to finish second in a Caulfield Cup?

Forgive: Close Up, No7, R7, Ellerslie: Had an issue last start.
Jumps to a more suitable 1400m this time and watch for a different
result.

Each-way: King Krovanh, No 2, R1, Ellerslie: Classy and should have
freshened sufficiently to drop back from 2400m to 1600m. Has a class factor.