Boom sprinter Mosse is a shock withdrawal from Saturday's Telegraph Handicap at Trentham, throwing the market wide open for the $250,000 feature.

Mosse, who controversially did not make the cut for the Railway Stakes on New Year's Day, was beaten into second the following day at Tauranga and has not pleased trainer John Bell since.

The horse pulled a shoe the day before the Tauranga race and, while Bell did not use that as an excuse at the time, when Mosse trotted up last week, with changed shoeing, all was not right.

Bell, always thinking of the welfare of his rising star, decided yesterday to pull the pin on the Telegraph, rather than risk him when he is not 100%.

TAB bookies reacted quickly to Mosse's withdrawal, installing Burgundy and his new jockey Opie Bosson the new $5 favourites.

In a market which reflects the openness of the race, next in the betting are Xanadu at $6, Guiseppina at $7, Nashville at $9 and Durham Town at $10.

Burgundy's owners have opted for the country's hottest jockey for the Telegraph after he finished a beaten favourite under Matt Cameron when fifth in the Railway at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

Te Akau Breeding syndicate spokesman David Ellis said in a blog on his website that the jockey switch was no reflection on Cameron, who was also in great form. But the Telegraph was such an important race in Burgundy's career, and the stakes so high from a stallion viewpoint, that the owners felt he deserved the best possible Group I rider.

"Matt Cameron is one of the best blokes I have ever met in racing and he will show I am sure, the courage and determination to put this set- back behind him and move on like all quality people do."

News of Mosse's defection also raised the hopes of Xanadu's trainer Ken Kelso, who rates her a big chance fresh-up.

Xanadu has really furnished, he says, and galloped in terrific style between races at Tauranga, timed over the last 600m of her 1600m gallop in just over 33 seconds.

Xanadu has not raced since her brave fourth in the Spring Classic last October.

- © Fairfax NZ News