How Geraldton-trained gelding Bolta has become toast of local racing scene after Regional Champs win

In the space of just 18 months, Bolta has gone from a short-priced Carnarvon maiden winner to the toast of Geraldton racing, winning the Regional Championship: Road to Ascot last Saturday, defeating some of the top horses from Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Albany.

The Sessions gelding made it five wins in a row, dropping to the back of the field before circling at the top of the straight to reel in the leaders and score the victory over 1200 metres in the $100,000 race.

Regular jockey Austin Galati said despite the 61kg weight, he was always confident in the horse getting the job done.

“I knew there were a couple of others to beat; the barrier and weight were a bit of a worry, the barrier not so much because he doesn’t mind getting back early. He lacks that early speed, that’s why I had him off the bit for a second on the corner of the bend,” he said.

“But I knew once we got around the corner and straightened up, I knew how good he could let down, so once we straightened up, I had a fair bit of faith he could run them down.”

For trainer Tony Scally, the win was a reward for effort for his team.

“We’re very fortunate to have Fiona and Christy, who are two very good track riders, and that makes our job easy because we’re getting our horses worked the way we want them, and they are giving me good feedback,” Scally said.

“Austin (Galati) knows how to ride him, lets him relax and just leave him alone early; he’s riding with that much confidence at the moment … he’s absolutely flying.”

It wasn’t a straightforward journey for the five-year-old with Scally, now his third trainer, after starting with Dion Luciani before spending time in Peter Daly’s stable in Carnarvon.

As a two and three-year-old, Bolta was touted as a potential Saturday metro horse competing in the listed Perth Stakes in 2023 against horses who have since gone on to win listed and group races in Perth.

In those races, he was a jump-and-run type of horse, wanting to find the lead but unable to sustain the run.

Since then, Bolta has matured to relax towards the back of the field before showing his electric turn of foot to skip clear late.

“We always thought he had the ability, but the biggest thing about this horse now is he’s learnt to relax, and I think he’ll get over further,” Scally said.

As for what his ceiling is, neither Scally nor Galati is sure; however, they both agree he will be better over further with one eye still on Ascot.

“It was a country field he beat on Saturday bar probably two or three, but it was the way he did it with 61 that makes you think he’s a pretty fair horse. He’ll probably come back to Geraldton for a run and then there’s a 1400 metre race on Perth Cup day at Ascot so we might go there,” Scally said.

“Off his last few runs, I think he’d definitely make the Saturday grade, but I think his prime distance would be 1400,” Galati said.