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By Ray Hickson

As a jockey it always helps to have confidence in the horse you’re riding and Adam Hyeronimus lacks none of that when it comes to boom colt Storm Boy.

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus (Pic: Steve Hart)

After a dynamic all the way first-up win, all eyes are on the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained three-year-old to back it up against a high class field in the Group 2 $300,000 James Squire Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Hyeronimus, who is unbeaten in three rides on Storm Boy, is focused on giving the colt every chance to win again and isn’t concerned whether that’s from in front or not.

“It’s a combination of the confidence I have in the horse’s ability and, second, I need to focus on riding my own horse,’’ he said.

“I know he’s a very good horse and I can’t worry about the other horses. I need to ride my own horse and have him as happy as possible and you’ll see a devastating turn of foot again.

“I think it’s important to get the first half right, having him happy and comfortable for the first half of the race. He’s a good enough horse to take care of the rest.

“This race is stronger and things will be more difficult each time he steps out but I have no concerns about the way the race shapes up.”

Storm Boy, $2.10 with TAB on Thursday, is the current $3 favourite for the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) in two weeks.

After a high profile two-year-old season, which saw the colt the subject of a multi-million dollar purchase by Coolmore, there was always going to be plenty of interest in how he returned in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at the end of last month.

He owned the race after Hyeronimus pushed him through to lead and ran out a 2-3/4 length winner and stopped the clock 0.47 seconds outside the course the record.

The step to 1200m will only be in his favour but there’s a sense from the jockey that Storm Boy has the scope to be a TAB Everest horse or a Guineas prospect if connections pointed him either way.

“You won’t find a horse much sharper than he was over 1100m,’’ he said.

“It was very impressive, I expected a forward showing first-up but I think he went better than we anticipated.

“Ticking the Group 1 box in the Golden Rose is the ideal situation then it’s up to Gai and Adrian and the owners as to what they want to do with him but I’m confident in the horse’s ability to do either/or.

“It was satisfying more than anything to see him come back so well. There’s never been any doubts on the horse from our end."

It’s been 10 months since Hyeronimus partnered import New Endeavour in the Golden Eagle last year so he’s interested to see what he produces first-up in the Group 2 $300,000 Toyota Forklifts Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).

While it’s expected the trip will be a bit sharp for the five-year-old, Hyeronimus said he was impressed with the steps New Endeavour took last time in that saw him placed in the Group 1 Doomben Cup before a break.

“He had a good preparation last time, it was very good to see. He’s always shown he’s a nice horse and he seems to have come back well,’’ he said.

“He’ll be better for the run but everything is heading in the right direction.”

Storm Boy wins at Rosehill on August 31

The only time Hyeronimus has partnered Raf Attack was to a win in the horse’s second barrier trial before making his debut so he’ll be on board on race day for the first time in the Chandon Handicap (1800m).

After two runs back from a break, including a close fourth in the Listed Rowley Mile, he feels the gelding is well placed to find his best form.

“I think it’s a good race for him, the distance suits, back to benchmark grade will help a lot,’’ he said.

“He can do a couple of little things wrong but as long as he comes out well and finds a nice rhythm you’ll see the best of Raf Attack.”

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