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Horse racing - Source: Photosport
Rejuvenated mare Boundless turned a spring of heartbreak into joy and completed a Group 2 feature double for trainer Stephen McKee and jockey Leith Innes with her lethal win in the $125,000 DHL Counties Cup at Pukekohe on Saturday.
McKee and Innes also combined in magic style two races earlier with Culminate to win the day's other Group 2 event, the $110,000 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes.
Ardmore-based McKee admitted it had been all from plain sailing this season for 2008 New Zealand Oaks winner Boundless who produced a series of below par performances earlier this season.
"There were stallions being tossed around and thoughts of her being retired to stud not all that long ago," McKee said.
"She has had serious problems with her back and every time a jockey hopped on her she seemed to feel uncomfortable ," he said. "We have tried a number of things and some chiropractor treatment seemed to help a lot as well as just racing her way out of it."
Boundless showed her first glimpse of improved form with a confidence-boosting win in weight-for-age company at Ellerslie at her previous start on November 3 and McKee said she had improved a lot since that run.
"We went into today's race with the most confidence we have had for a long time and she didn't let us down. Leith (Innes) gave her a lovely trip and it was a 10 out of 10 ride from him."
Boundless settled beautifully behind the leaders and charged to the lead in the home straight. Then she had to withstand a late surge from the fast-finishing Fiorano who got to within a neck at the winning post.
McKee said yesterday's win opened up many future racing options for Boundless. "One thing is for sure she won't be retired to stud this year. That can wait.
"There are a lot of Cup races now that we can look at. There is the Avondale Cup and the Waikato Cup and later on there is the Wellington and Auckland Cups. Another race which is suitable for her is the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie at Christmas time," McKee said.
The Van Nistelrooy five-year-old mare is owned by McKee's father, retired champion trainer Trevor McKee, in partnership with Neil Miller, Cherry Taylor and Paul Dallimore. She has won seven times from 25 starts and has amassed stake earnings of $621,147.
Co-trainer Roger James was delighted with Florano's effort. "He was in front of the winner a stride or two past the finishing post. He raced in tight quarters during the race but once he got into the open he motored home."
James has the Avondale Gold Cup (2200m) at Avondale on December 2 as the next start for Fiorano.
Third home in Saturday's race was Solid Billing who fought on well after setting the pace during the race.
