Bionic Boy looks the goods for 3YO Challenge

Michael Lee
Sunday, April 19, 2009

Bionic Boy seems to be another smart youngster on the way up after he disposed of a handy field in the $65,000 FPA Financial Prosperity Trophy on Sunday.

The speedy Falvelon three-year-old had scored his previous win by making all the running and stuck to the same tactics with the same results in the 1200m Novice race.

Bounced out quickly by apprentice jockey Taib Affandi, Bionic Boy, who started favourite at $11, was already a length clear shortly after the jump, and would never leave that spot all the way to the wire.

Bionic Boy (Taib Affandi) makes it two on the trot with victory in Race 5 on Sunday.

Second favourite ($16) Kotipelto was the only challenger who could topple him at the 200m, but despite jockey Saimee Jumaat’s urgings, the last-start winner could not quite peg back the winner, though he did claw back two lengths inside the last 50m when Affandi eased down.

“He showed he was not just a Polytrack horse. He’s won twice on grass and has done everything right,” said winning trainer Steven Burridge.

“As he is not a huge horse, we thought the 3kg claim from Affandi would be a huge help. I really appreciate the owners’ understanding and the fact they gave Affandi a chance to ride their horse.

“He rode him very well. He let him roll forward within his own steam and produced him at the right time.

“He beat a very good horse in the runner-up (Kotipelto), who also looks like a smart horse in the making.

“But I think my bloke had the race won when he jumped in front of the others at the start. It’s not surprising he’s so fast as he’s probably got his speed genes from Falvelon.”

Bionic Boy is by Australian champion sprinter Falvelon and out of the Sri Pekan mare Pekan Lady, and is raced by the Top Champ Stable.

With two wins and two seconds from four runs, Bionic Boy has suddenly sprung into a potential contender for some bigger races.

“I will have to see how he pulls up, but the first two Legs of the Three-Year-Old Challenge is certainly worth considering,” said Burridge, who has yet to win the prestigious 3YO championship.