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By Ray Hickson

There may be improvement in classy colt Storm Boy as the spring unfolds but co-trainer Adrian Bott sees an opportunity to kick off his three-year-old season in style at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Adrian Bott. (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Bott said barrier one affords jockey Adam Hyeronimus a prime chance to lead the Group 3 $250,000 Smithfield RSL San Domenico Stakes (1100m) and control his destiny.

In all four of the colt’s wins he’s been in front on the home turn, if not from the start, and while his spring targets are over more ground Bott would expect him to be a force first-up.

“It’s a nice draw for him, it’s going to be a tactical race but no doubt we’ll be looking to utilise the draw and utilise his speed,’’ Bott said.

“There’s still some nice improvement for him to keep taking this preparation. He’s going to be better suited the deeper he goes into the campaign and when we see him over further.

“At the same time this is a nice kick off point and most importantly it helps lay the right foundations for the path ahead.”

That path leads to next month’s Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) as Storm Boy’s first major target for the spring where he’s a $7 second favourite behind Broadsiding in TAB’s all-in market.

Bott, and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse, won the San Domenico and Golden Rose in 2021 with In The Congo and Storm Boy has been fitted for his clash with another boom colt in Gatsby’s with two barrier trials.

He led all the way in the latest, with Hyeronimus in the saddle, downing Caballus over 850m.

“Everything he’s doing now is gearing around a peak performance in the Golden Rose,’’ Bott said.

“He’s continued to develop and mature physically and mentally, he’s come back in good shape.”

Storm Boy was $2.40 with TAB on Thursday in what’s shaping as a two horse war with $2 favourite Gatsby’s.

That may not be the case, though, if Storm Boy’s stablemate Mayfair shows he can take the step from his impressive win at Rosehill back on July 20.

Bott said he’s also on a Golden Rose path and Saturday’s assignment will provide insight into how he stacks up in stronger company.

“I think he will continue to take improvement, he’s been excellent in the limited times we’ve seen him,’’ Bott said.

“We put the blinkers on him this time around and I think that’s had a good effect, sharpened him up nicely to find the extra couple of lengths we felt he had up his sleeve when we saw him last time around.

“He’s going to be better suited to the 1400m as well when he gets there. No doubt it’ll give us a good line, he deserves his place there and I’m sure there’s some good upside.”

The Waterhouse/Bott stable also has two runners in the Group 3 $250,000 CMNL Up & Coming Stakes (1300m) and it’s a similar case of one being a proven performer in Shangri La Express and the other an emerging type in Wanaruah.

Shangri La Express was beaten 2-1/2 lengths by Gatsby’s first-up in the Rosebud two weeks ago conceding that horse 3.5kg.

“I think he felt the weight he was giving to a classy horse like Gatsby’s,’’ Bott said.

“Outside of that he stuck on well and wasn’t beaten far. He will be better suited stepping up to the 1300m. I know he’s forced to give a bit of weight again but I think he’s improved nicely off that first-up run.”

Storm Boy wins a Randwick trial on August 19

Snitzel colt Wanaruah will be in receipt of 5kg from his stablemate as he eyes three from three having scored at Canterbury on debut in June and at Randwick in July.

“Whether 5kg is the difference or not, Shangri La Express has had a better grounding to date with his campaigns at two,’’ Bott said.

“Wanaruah is a horse on the way up and isn’t exposed yet so he gets the advantage of getting in a bit lighter.”

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