Major targets ahead of The Bold One

Allan Sharrock has no doubt that The Bold One is a Group One horse in waiting and he has plans to give the blueblood his chance early next year.

The Taranaki trainer is understandably enthusiastic about the future prospects of the son of Fastnet Rock and the former top-flight mare The Jewel.

A winner last season and put aside after a fourth in the Gr.3 Cambridge Jockey Club Breeders’ Stakes, The Bold One made a successful return at Otaki on Saturday with victory in the Cavallo Agistment Handicap.

“It was better than a pass mark – he was taken on in front and buttoned off at the end so he did a good job,” Sharrock said.

“He blew up considerably and there’s plenty of improvement to come from him.”

Sharrock has yet to finalise The Bold One’s immediate programme and longer-term he has Group One ambitions for the four-year-old with both the Telegraph Handicap and the Thorndon Mile possible targets.

“We’ll make a call after his next couple of starts,” Sharrock said, “He’s bred to go further, but he’s such a powerful animal.”

The Bold One was ridden aggressively early by Jonathan Riddell to lead and they slipped clear at the top of the straight. The entire ducked out close to the post, but still had a length and a-quarter to spare.

“I said to Jonathan to ride him like the best horse in the race and he did a good job,” Sharrock said. “Blinkers are a card we’ll play in the future as well.”