The Patrick Payne-trained Bold Soul has been a consistent performer on the flat, but his future may now lie over the jumps.
Bold Soul added the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday to his collection of seven previous wins from 33 career starts, propelling his prize money earnings to over $800,000.
Guided by jockey Jake Noonan, Bold Soul ($5.50) claimed a short-head victory over the $2.60 favourite Highland Blaze, with Tempesti ($16) finishing a half-head behind in third. Bold Soul’s win was an upset, according to betting sites.
Harry Coffey, the jockey of the third-placed Tempesti, lodged a protest against the winner, alleging interference near the finish. However, after a brief deliberation, Racing Victoria stewards dismissed the objection.
Neal Greaves, representing trainer Patrick Payne, suggested that Bold Soul is likely to begin his jumps career soon.
“I think the plan is, you might see a pretty nice jumper at Ballarat on August 16,” Greaves stated. “I think the intention is he will have a jumps run this season.”
Greaves noted that jockey Jake Noonan has a particular affinity with Bold Soul.
The gelding had previously been ridden by Billy Egan for his last two placings at Flemington over distances of 2540m and 2600m.
Noonan had guided Bold Soul to victory in the Tasmanian Derby and subsequently in the Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville, marking his first ride on the gelding since their partnership in the Lord Reims Stakes in Adelaide earlier in the year.
“It’s interesting, as some of the riders have not found him that easy to ride,” Greaves commented. “If you can’t get him to settle, and that’s the case with a lot of horses, you’re in a world of hurt, but for some reason Jake has been able to.
“We were concerned with the weight as when the weights first came out, Ciaron Maher had one (Smokin’ Romans) in it with topweight of 60 kilos. We had 55-½ kilos, so we were a bit disappointed when Ciaron didn’t accept with his, and they pushed the weights up, but it affected everyone else as well.”
With Bold Soul’s potential move to jumps, explore the current racing betting markets for potential opportunities.