Can recent trend continue in Chariots?

CONNECTIONS of rising star Boots Electric hope a recent trend continues later this month.

Thanks to his success at Tabcorp Park Melton just moments ago, Boots Electric became the first to be guaranteed a start in the Chariots Of Fire.

The Sonya Smith and Anthony Butt-trained gelding earned his berth in Australasia’s premier four-year-old event by capturing The Bonanza, which is one of three races offering automatic entry to the Chariots Of Fire.

The Chariots Of Fire is scheduled to be run at Club Menangle on February 20.

Since The Bonanza’s rise in status in 2016 as a result of a stake boost, the last four winners have gone on to capture the Chariots Of Fire.

Lazarus started the trend in 2017, followed by Jilliby Kung Fu, Poster Boy and Lochinvar Art.

“It would be nice if the pattern continues and he can follow those before him to win the Chariots,” Butt said. “We’ll certainly be doing our best.”

Driven by Greg Sugars, Boots Electric was settled two-back along the pegs as his stablemate Perfect Stride led with Butt in the cart.

Angled away from the pegs at the top of the home straight, the son of Somebeachsomewhere finished strongly down the middle of the track to complete a two-metre win from Pacifico Dream which was gallant after racing in the ‘death seat’.

Kowalski Analysis was a neck away third after trailing the pacemaker.

Rating 1:51.2 over 1720 metres, Boots Electric provided Smith and Butt with their first Group One victory since becoming a training partnership last month.

“His draw was always going to be tricky, but Greg worked it out brilliantly,” Butt said.

Boots Electric’s triumph was also the couple’s second win for the night, having scored with Typhoon Stride earlier on the card.

Causing a massive upset with Butt in the cart, Typhoon Stride captured the Group Three Rising Stars Final at $61.70 on the Tote.

Boots Electric and Typhoon Stride are raced by powerhouse owners Emilio and Mary Stride.