Ardrossan’s son Cannon Hill wins en route to Gr.3 Easter Handicap

Opie Bosson and the WS-bred Cannon Hill (Ardrossan ex Vanilla Essence) denied apprentice rider Hyeontaek Oh a dream start to his New Zealand riding career at Ellerslie on Saturday, storming home late to claim the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 1300 by a long head.

The son of Ardrossan brought his prizemoney to nearly $300,000 winning his sixth career start. The five-year-old gelding was stepping back in distance from a mile and was taken back from his outside barrier by Bosson, who was content to settle near the rear before angling wide from the 600m.

Master Fay loomed large, turning for home and quickly dashed to the lead, looking set to hand Oh his first New Zealand victory, but Cannon Hill finished strongly out wide to snatch victory in the final strides. Race favourite Yaldi was a further length away in third.

Trainer Tony Pike was delighted to see Cannon Hill return to winning form and said the gelding would now head back to Ellerslie in a fortnight for the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).

“He has taken a long time to strengthen up and he has run some very good races with not a lot of luck,” Pike said.

“He was a long way back at Tauranga last start and was one of the few closers on the day.

“I didn’t want to go five weeks into the Easter, he can get a bit keen when he is fresh. This was obviously dropping a long way in trip but it was a lovely ride by Opie and it sets him up nicely for the Easter Handicap in two weeks’ time.”

Bosson admitted he felt for Oh after denying him a winning start in New Zealand, but was pleased with the performance of Cannon Hill, who he believes will be even better suited stepping back up to a mile in the Easter Handicap.

“I feel a bit bad for him but I like winning myself,” Bosson said.

“He (Cannon Hill) travelled beautifully throughout but he got keen in the middle stages. It took him a while to wind up, so he is looking for that mile and it is a good lead-up run to the Easter.”

The Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap will be run at Ellerslie on 18 April and shapes as an ideal next target for Cannon Hill.