Boss Back For Spring Fling

The Age

Thursday July 31, 2008

Andrew Eddy

WE'VE all seen the numerous images of jockey Glen Boss' jubilant celebrations following a major race success and it was that unique feeling of utter elation that was the spur for his surprise return to riding in Australia.

Boss, along with the likes of Darren Beadman and Brett Prebble, was to return to Hong Kong shortly to prepare for another season, but in something of a shock, the 38-year-old this week decided instead that he missed riding in Australia too much.

"It wasn't so much the lifestyle - I enjoyed living in Hong Kong and so did my wife and the kids," Boss said yesterday.

"It had a lot more to do with job satisfaction. You've got to enjoy what you are doing and I found that I just really missed that incredible buzz of riding over the carnivals in Australia.

"You just don't get that in Hong Kong. It was not the same amazing adrenalin rush I get over here during the big carnivals."

Boss has been one of this country's leading riders for much of the past decade, but it was his colourful celebrations after his three Melbourne Cup wins on Makybe Diva that saw him become immediately recognisable.

The whip-waving, air-punching, hooping and hollering are a bit too much for some of racing's more reserved patrons, but Boss makes no apology for his post-race antics after a big race win.

"It's hard work and group 1 wins generally just don't fall in your lap, so when it all comes off and you win that big race that everyone is working so hard for, well, it's just the best feeling," he said.

Boss said he was preparing to return to Hong Kong until last week when it dawned on him what he was missing in Australia.

"I just thought that if I couldn't commit myself 110% to riding in Hong Kong, that I was not doing myself any good, or the club (Hong Kong Jockey Club)," he said. "I gave it a good crack but it just suits me here better."

In his first full season in Hong Kong, which ended in June, Boss finished equal ninth on the jockeys' premiership with 34 wins.

"Everyone said that I did well in my first season over there but by my standards it was a B," he said.

"I figured I would have to ride at least 50 winners in Hong Kong to earn as much as I was in Australia, and I just couldn't see where those 50 winners were going to come from, so that was a part in the decision to come home as well."

Boss said the landscape in Sydney for riders and trainers had changed dramatically in the past 12 months, with the leading riders in the absence of Boss, Beadman and Zac Purton now being former Victorians Nash Rawiller, Blake Shinn and shortly Kerrin McEvoy.

"The total domination of two stables (John Hawkes and Gai Waterhouse) is over I think, as there are now about five or even more stables that will be really strong," he said.

"There's Chris Waller, John O'Shea and don't forget John Hawkes. He's the sleeping giant who's ready to go whoosh, so the opportunities will come."