The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable are confident that the straight track and the likelihood of soft ground will play to the strengths of talented mare Bossy Nic as she resumes at Flemington. The five-year-old will contest Saturday’s Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m), looking to build on her excellent record of two wins and a minor placing from four attempts over the course and distance.

Bossy Nic made her mark early in her career by capturing the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes as a two-year-old in March 2023. Racing manager Rayan Moore says conditions on Saturday look ideal for the mare’s first-up run. “She has a really good straight-track record, having won the Thoroughbred Breeders as a two-year-old, and she also won down the straight on Lightning Day last preparation,” Moore said. “Saturday looks a perfect set-up with a likely soft track. She’s had one trial this campaign on the Ballarat synthetic and goes into the race fresh and ready.”

Moore confirmed Bossy Nic trialled without blinkers, with the gear change to be reapplied for race day. “She really benefits from the blinkers being on. She goes into the preparation rated 88, and while there are some quality runners like Joyful Fortune, Marble Nine, and Lady In Pink, there’s also a bit of a tail to the field, so it’s an ideal starting point for her.”

While Bossy Nic contested strong races as a three-year-old, her only win last preparation came in a Benchmark 90 race. Moore believes the mare has developed with age and maturity and can be competitive in better races this campaign. “She’s always shown good ability, but in those three-year-old features she had to carry big weights. Last preparation she really excelled when she found softer ground,” Moore said. “She finished behind A Little Deep last start, and that horse went on to run fourth in The Goodwood. If A Little Deep was here, she’d probably be favourite. We think Bossy Nic is ready for a strong preparation.”