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By Ray Hickson

On the back of a gallant Group 1 third in the TAB Epsom, Adrian Bott is excited to see import Royal Patronage step up in distance at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Adrian Bott. (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Bott, who co-trains with Gai Waterhouse, said on Sky Sports Radio he was proud of the six-year-old’s effort last weekend, beaten just under two lengths by Ceolwulf after riding the speed, and feels he’s well suited in the Group 2 $2 million Toyota Forklifts Hill Stakes (1900m).

Royal Patronage won at 1710m in America last year and was placed at 2063m at York in 2022 and Bott said the quick turnaround following the Epsom should be no issue as he's now looking for that extra ground.

“He’s come through the run very well so we’re keen to see him back up and importantly we’re starting to get out to an ideal trip now for him,’’ Bott said.

“We tried to keep him as sharp as we could over the mile.

"The draw and the weight made things a little bit difficult for him in the Epsom but I thought he was very brave the way he stuck on.

“This should be a nice, natural, step for him and I think the back up should suit him at this stage of the preparation.”

Tim Clark rides the entire once again and he felt the Epsom run was full of merit, as he had to face the breeze, and liked how he fought on to the line when challenged.

Stablemate New Endeavour was Group 1 placed in the Doomben Cup last preparation at 2000m and he’s another Bott is keen to see reach a middle distance in the Hill.

The gelding was second-up when third in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) two weeks ago and Bott said he’s tracking well to break through this spring.

“He’s showing nice improvement, his two runs in have been excellent and he’s now starting to get out to a more suitable trip,’’ he said.

It’s been two and a half years since Converge’s latest win, the second of his Group 1s, and Bott is hopeful for a positive kick off in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m).

While he’s been out of the winner’s stall for a while Converge was Group 3 placed in June and last year notched Group 1 placings in a George Ryder and Stradbroke Handicap.

Bott said the six-year-old isn’t a noted first-up performer so his work has been altered to help him sprint well fresh after being tested up to 2200m in the winter.

“We tried to stretch him out a little bit last preparation,’’ he said.

“We’ve been training him differently this time in, trying to keep him a little bit sharper for his first up run. Traditionally he has found 1400m a bit short of his best.”

Adrian Bott on Prost (race 5): "He’s a talented horse on his day. We didn’t get to see that from him first-up, he seemed a little bit lost up the straight so I’m happy to be forgiving of that. I’d expect him to be able to bounce back and run a more competitive race."

Royal Patronage runs third in the Epsom

On Ikasara (race 5): "He was a good effort first-up, he was jumping straight into Listed grade just off the one start as a two-year-old. He handled himself well and stuck on bravely, he’ll improve up in trip and improve second-up."

On Anode (race 6): “It looks a nice race for him. It probably wasn’t the greatest set up for him second-up in the Golden Rose but I thought his first-up run was excellent and he can bounce back.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting