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By Ray Hickson

Conceding defeat isn’t in the vocabulary at Tulloch Lodge and that fighting spirit will apply to talented colt In The Congo as he tackles Saturday’s Group 1 $1m XXXX Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill.

Trainer Adrian Bott (Pic: Bradley Photos)

So it’s no surprise that Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have given plenty of thought into how In The Congo can turn the tables on hot favourite Anamoe after their battle at Kembla Grange two weeks ago.

Despite all the variables appearing to be in Anamoe’s favour, that being his added fitness and the step to 1400m, Bott said In The Congo has the equipment required to make things difficult.

“We’re going into the race rock hard fit knowing how he likes to run his races,” Bott said.

“We’ve found we can’t outsprint Anamoe so we’ll have to try and find another way. If that’s making it a good test then we’ll certainly look to do that.”

The Golden Rose is one Group 1 race that has so far eluded Gai Waterhouse, who last figured in the finish in 2015 with the filly Speak Fondly running second to another Godolphin colt Exosphere.

It’s often been said that strong 1200m horses can run out 1400m and In The Congo, $10 with TAB on Friday, showed his strength in the Run To The Rose where he was kept busy in the lead before shaking off the challengers only to be run down by Anamoe late.

“He rolls along at a good tempo and that’s the horse’s asset, he can sustain a good tempo and there’s no doubt he will be able to do that over 1400m,’’ Bott said.

“He’s got that tactical speed, we plan to utilise that and make it tough for a few others.”

If In The Congo is successful it will cap a swift rise for the colt who didn’t make his debut until May 19, a month after Anamoe won the Group 1 Inglis Sires’, in an off-season midweek maiden.

“He’s just taken the next step every time we’ve raised the bar,’’ Bott said.

“It’s what you hope to see with lightly raced colts but he had no exposure as a two-year-old so he had plenty of upside coming into this season.”

Stablemate Vangelic also has the job of trying to turn the tables on her last start conqueror when she faces off again with Entriviere in the Group 2 $400,000 Golden Pendant (1400m).

Despite being the winner of just one race in 13 starts, the mare has been Group 1 placed twice and Bott is expecting her to make sharp inroads into the three length margin when fourth in the Sheraco Stakes earlier this month.

She was runner-up in the Group 1 Surround Stakes at 1400m at her second-up run in the autumn so has a profile to improve.

“First-up she was probably a bit more forward this time around which is great to see so if she takes that same level of improvement she is right in this,’’ Bott said.

In The Congo runs second at Kembla Grange on September 11

“She showed she’s really looking for the 1400m and I thought she was great through the line on the back of a solid tempo. I think it’s a nice race for her.”

The stable has dual representation in the Group 3 $160,000 Drinkwise Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) via Entente and Taikomochi while Discharged attempts to force his way into the TAB Epsom in the Group 2 $200,000 Ned Whisky Shannon Stakes (1500m).

“Entente I thought was excellent there last start on the back up and should improve again,’’ Bott said.

“Taikomochi has been building towards a nice race and his last start run in the Newcastle Cup was good. Discharged was good first-up chasing a hot speed that had him out of his comfort zone for a while so the step up in trip should be good for him.”

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