Adrian Bott can’t split G1 Spring Champion Stakes contenders
Tulloch Lodge stablemates Raf Attack and Ganbare have had a reversal of fortunes in the Spring Champion Stakes barrier draw and Adrian Bott expects it to better suit the racing styles of both colts.
Raf Attack ran his rivals ragged when leading throughout from a low draw in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) last start while Ganbare, an impressive winner of the Dulcify Quality (1600m) at his previous appearance, had a torrid run from a wide gate to finish midfield.
The latter has barrier four in Saturday’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) while Raf Attack will jump from 11, Bott viewing their respective draws as ideal.
“It probably suits them both better in fairness,” Bott said.
“Raf Attack has got natural tactical speed and is that go-forward type of horse, so he will be able to roll forward from that outside draw which is what he likes to do.
“The softer draw helps Ganbare’s chances as well.
“He was caught wide throughout last start and that made it difficult for him, but I thought he stuck on well considering. Go back the start before and it was a very strong win over the mile.”
Both Raf Attack and Ganbare are bred to run at least a middle distance.
Raf Attack is by Satono Aladdin, the sire of dual Oaks winner Pennyweka, while Ganbare is a son of Maurice and his maternal grand-dam Bianca won a Newcastle Cup and finished runner-up in a Metropolitan.
Bott has yet to win a Spring Champion, Hampton Court in 2014 being the last victor for Tulloch Lodge when Gai Waterhouse was training solo.
However, he believes this year is the stable’s best chance since he joined the yard during the 2016-17 season.
“Hampton Court was the last one, we ran second with Never Been Kissed backing up from the Flight Stakes (in 2021),” Bott said.
“But these are the two that have had the long-range plan for this and have been that profile all the way through.
“They’re tough to split. We’re in a nice position with two really good chances.”
Bott confirmed both Raf Attack and Ganbare could back up in the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington seven days later if they performed well on Saturday.
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...