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By Ray Hickson

Rock Empire was given a shot at a Group 1 at just his third start but co-trainer Adrian Bott says the bar will stay a lot lower in the short term as he shoots for back-to-back wins this preparation at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

The four-year-old was an impressive winner on debut just over a year ago and Bott, and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse, thought enough of him to test him in the Caulfield Guineas but it all came a bit too soon.

After a close second to the promising Yorkshire at his first start since that Group 1 test, the entire scored a tough on-pace win at Kensington two weeks ago.

“We want to go through our grades with him, we’re in no rush to get back there,’’ Bott said.

“There’s still a bit to go to get back to that point so I don’t think we’ll see it this preparation but we’ll keep progressing forward and do the right thing.

“He resumed nicely at Warwick Farm and won very well at Kensington, getting back to the mile again should be ideal for him.”

Rock Empire wins at Kensington on September 11

Adam Hyeronimus again rides Rock Empire, $2 with TAB on Tuesday in the Pinatubo First Yearlings @ Darley Handicap (1600m), and he’ll rise 2kg on his second-up win to 61kg for staying in the same grade.

Bott said he was impressed with the performance at Kensington and feels the benefits of being patient with him are starting to show.

“It was good to see how strong late he was at his latest run, particularly going up to a mile,’’ he said.

“I think the tempo of a mile should suit him and he looks like he’s continued to train on.

“He’s been lightly raced and was tested in some good quality races at three. We gave him a good break and plenty of time, he’s been back in good shape this preparation.”

Waterhouse and Bott unveil an interesting import in Alalcance in the Casino Prince @ Vinery Stud Handicap (2140m).

The five-year-old mare has raced just four times for a win over 2414m at The Curragh on a heavy track, at the end of October last year, and has trialled on four occasions for Tulloch Lodge and Bott said kicking off at a staying trip is the right way to go.

“She’s typical of the Europeans coming over, she’s a dour staying type which is why she’s first-up over this sort of trip,’’ he said.

“She’s had a good grounding for that so she’s forward enough for it. She seems nice style of mare going forward and Wednesday will tell us a bit more about her.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting