Latest News

By Ray Hickson

A high class import and a repurposed Derby winner present Gai Waterhouse with a chance to finally edge past the Epsom Handicap record she holds with her legendary father Tommy Smith at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Adrian Bott (Pic: Grant Guy)

The Hall Of Fame father and daughter have won the Randwick mile seven times and it’s been 12 years since Tulloch Lodge last won the race with Fat Al in 2012.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott, who is chasing his first Epsom in partnership with Waterhouse, said import Royal Patronage shouldn’t be disadvantaged by a wide gate while 2023 ATC Derby winner Major Beel is showing the sort of dash that will ensure he gives a sight with a light weight in the Group 1 $1.5m TAB Epsom (1600m).

Royal Patronage, $6.50 with TAB on Thursday, made a super Australian debut beating Amelia’s Jewel in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) then still managed to run third behind Fangirl in the 7 Stakes two weeks ago despite an incident at the start.

“First-up he showed great tactical speed over the 1400m so if he’s able to do that once again I think he can easily offset that draw,’’ Bott said.

“What surprised us most was the sprint he showed first-up over the shorter trip. We do think he is a horse that has scope to get over a bit further, 2000m I think will be an excellent distance for him going forward.

“But with that they’re the types of horses that always profile well for these types of races.

“Obviously last start in the 7 Stakes he was a little bit tardy and got himself into an awkward position so we’d certainly like to see him being on the front foot out of that gate.”

The six-year-old won three races in the UK before being sent to the USA where he won once in six starts and contested races like the Belmont Derby and Saratoga Derby at Group 1 level.

“He’s raced in some of the best races in Europe and America, he maybe needed that change of scenery,’’ Bott said.

“At the end of the day he was a Group 2 winner at two so I think he showed plenty of precocity and speed as a young horse.

“He went to America for some high class races, they brought a high class horse out to Australia and he’s just measured up.”

Bott said he’s been impressed by Major Beel’s fleet footedness in his two runs at a mile since contesting the Sydney Cup and plans to make use of the gelding’s 51.5kg.

He ran fifth in the 7 Stakes after leading and meets his stablemate 4.5kg better at the weights so Bott said, with plans to ride him in a similar fashion, it gives him a good chance.

“It’s worked the last two runs for him, he gave them something to chase last start and he’ll be hard to run down with a light weight on his back and rated well,’’ he said.

“We’ve been really encouraged by what we’ve seen from him in two runs this campaign.

“He’s obviously got plenty of tactical speed and will be really effective in that mile to 2000m range.

“He’s been so sharp in his two mile runs, it’s the right race to be running in when he’s still well in at the handicaps.”

Winona Costin has the ride on Major Beel while Tim Clark rides Royal Patronage.

Royal Patronage (third) and Major Beel (fifth) in the 7 Stakes

Waterhouse has won the Group 1 $750,000 James Squire Metropolitan (2400m) nine times, including last year’s first with Bott as Just Fine saluted, and it of course was the race that back in 1992 gave her a maiden Group 1 win.

The stable has Serpentine and Military Mission engaged in the feature staying race.

“Serpentine was excellent the way he stuck on and I thought stepping up to the 2400m he should show the necessary improvement,” Bott said.

“Military Mission has been building nicely toward this particular race, he’s taken a couple of runs to get deep into campaign and reach his peak fitness but we saw him very competitive in this race last year.”

All the fields, form and replays for TAB Epsom Day at Randwick on Saturday