Boss to ride Faint Perfume

MELBOURNE Jul 28 2010

Glen Boss has been engaged by master trainer Bart Cummings to ride reigning Melbourne Cup favourite Faint Perfume throughout her spring campaign.

Boss said he was impressed with the rising four-year-old mare's effort in defeat when runner-up to Once Were Wild in the AJC Australian Oaks at Randwick at her latest outing in April.

"I was so impressed with her when she got beaten in the AJC Oaks and she's ticked all the boxes for me," Boss said.

Boss was also impressed with the daughter of Shamardal's unbeaten record at Flemington where she has won the Wakeful Stakes, VRC Oaks and the Kewney Stakes.

"Every time she's turned up at Flemington she's been brilliant," he said.

"She's got the Bart factor so she looks like she's going to stay.

"So I drove Bart mad as soon as she got beaten. Actually I spoke to him that day.

"I've calculated that she's probably (only) going to get 52(kg) because of the international influx this year.

"A lightish weight, a four-year-old mare, Bart Cummings - she's going to be hard to beat I hope."

The Faint Perfume mount became available as Michael Rodd, who rode her at her past seven starts for four wins, is too heavy to ride her in the Cup and is required for the Mark Kavanagh stable for reigning Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.

If Boss wins the Cup he will join Bobbie Lewis and Harry White who hold the record of riding four Melbourne Cup winners.

Boss is the only jockey to win the Cup three years running, having guided Makybe Diva to victory in 2003-5.

Faint Perfume, the $17 favourite with Eskander's Betstar, would give Cummings his 13th win in the great race.

Boss combined with Cummings to win his second Cox Plate at Moonee Valley aboard three-year-old colt So You Think last spring having won his first aboard Makybe Diva in 2005.

By Mark Ryan - AAP