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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Kacy Fogden is more than happy to forgive talented colt Best Of Bordeaux for his first-up defeat and hopes a return to normal practice will see him back in the winner’s stall at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Kacy Fogden (Pic: Grant Guy)

The Golden Slipper runner-up shocked many when he stepped away slowly and wasn’t near the lead in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) two weeks ago, battling on into fifth place as a $1.90 favourite behind Sweet Ride.

While there were excuses for his position in running Fogden would like to see the colt dictating rather than being dictated to in the Group 2 $250,000 Furphy Run To The Rose (1200m).

“Hopefully we’ll see a bit more positivity early,’’ she said.

“I think he ran well considering the change of pattern, he’s not used to that at all, so he would have learnt a whole lot out of that run. It would be nice to see him back in his usual pattern.”

The Run To The Rose shapes as a pivotal race for Best Of Bordeaux’s spring preparation and as $3.40 early favourite with TAB on Thursday he’s expected to bounce back.

A dominant performance would put him on the radar for Coolmore’s TAB Everest slot, he’s a $51 chance in TAB’s all-in market, and have him pressing for favouritism in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose (1400m) in two weeks.

He’s an $11 chance in the September 24 feature and Fogden has no doubt he’d be capable of running a strong 1400m.

But that’s not Saturday’s task and she’s confident the colt can get back on track.

“He’s not always the quickest out but he does have a knack for getting up and going,’’ she said.

“So long as he can jump well and run his usual race he will run really well. I can’t fault him and like I’ve always said I have a lot of belief in him.

“He’s a very versatile horse, there’s no concerns about him stepping out over further or having the ability to be ridden quietly. I’ve always known that.

“But when they are in sprint races you’ve got to let fast horses be fast.”

Jockey James McDonald said some early interference in the San Domenico worked against him and will look to use gate five to his advantage.

“He was slow away and copped a bit of a check, hopefully he can jump on terms and put himself in the race and we can see how good he is,’’ he said.

Fellow Coolmore colt Political Debate emerged as a talent during the Brisbane winter with a narrow defeat in the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at his fourth start but trainer Chris Waller warned the Run To The Rose is merely a starting point.

Best Of Bordeaux's first-up run at Rosehill on August 27

Waller has given him two quiet trials and an exhibition gallop between races at Randwick last week and would like to see a positive kick off to the preparation with a view to being a real force in longer races.

“It’s just to give him a pipe opener and keep the speed into him for the Golden Rose,’’ he said.

“We always thought 1200m would be a bit short. Don’t expect too much on Saturday, I’d just like to see him attacking the line and then start to get serious.”

Political Debate is a $17 chance with TAB in the Run To The Rose and $15 in the Golden Rose.

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