By Alex Nolan
Veteran Queensland jockey Michael Cahill wound back the clock to cause a massive boilover and claim his second TAB Doomben 10,000 aboard Tony Pike-trained The Bostonian ($41) on Saturday.
Eighteen years since winning the time-honoured sprint aboard Queensland champion Falvelon, Cahill's experience around the famous circuit proved critical as he darted back to the inside to beat a fast-finishing Osborne Bulls by a short-half-head.
It was the Godolphin runner's fifth-consecutive Group 1 second placing, much to the dismay of connections.
Hot-pot Nature Strip bombed the start and was forced to travel wide the entire trip before tiring in the straight.
The Bostonian is now undefeated at all five starts in Queensland after a successful three-year-old campaign culminating in the G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas.
The Bostonian also continued his unbeaten run of first-up performances (5 from 5).
"I went and rode him at Otaki in a Group 1 earlier this year and I was always going to ride him when he came here," Cahill said.
"He's a very good horse and I think his record is about eight from 15 now and he's a proven Group 1 performer."
Cahill, 54, sits sixth on the Brisbane Jockeys' Premiership with 30 wins, and has finished within the top-10 on the premiership every year since winning it back in 2012-13.
He reflected on his first Doomben 10,000 victory aboard Falvelon in 2001.
"That win probably cemented my opportunity to go and ride in Hong Kong," he said.
"But time goes on and I'm grateful to get the opportunity to ride horses in these types of races."