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By Ray Hickson

Start with the Golden Eagle as the target and work back – that’s what the spring will entail for talented gelding Kibou if he lives up to expectations at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Adrian Bott. (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Co-trainer Adrian Bott is hoping Kibou, already a Group 3 winner, can confirm he’s worthy of being aimed at the $10 million feature for four-year-olds on November 4 as he winds up his winter cameo in the Furphy Handicap (1500m).

It’s run over the same course as the Golden Eagle and Bott said given he was balloted out of a stakes race last week a win is important to increase his rating.

“That’s been the key to getting a couple of runs at this time of year,’’ he said.

“The attraction to target the Civic Stakes was a win in that race would get his rating up to a level where he would be very close to getting in.

“He will have a bit of a freshen up and we’ll put together a plan and a program to work back from the Golden Eagle for him. That’s where we want to get him to.”

The Up And Coming Stakes winner is currently $26 in TAB's all-in Golden Eagle market and $2 to win on Saturday.

Kibou had his first start since that Group 3 win in the spring, before it was interrupted by injury, with a gallant second to Iowna Merc, conceding 4kg to the winner, over 1200m at Randwick three weeks ago.

Bott said from barrier one and with a significant drop in weight he’ll have every chance go one better and is adamant having to wait an extra week won’t disadvantage him.

“Not in terms of his preparation going forward but it would have been a good test for him at stakes company,’’ he said.

“It hasn’t been a big deal missing that race last week and he’s probably better placed in terms of his rating and benchmark here.

“The 1500m I don’t see as a problem second-up, he’s forward and fit enough for it and should enjoy that trip. He’s shown speed over shorter trips so tactically he’s pretty good there.

“It was a great effort first-up, he’d had a long time off the scene so there should be some natural improvement in his fitness.”

Bott and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse, who last month chalked up 1000 winners together, unveil a new import when Special Envoy makes his local debut in the TAB Handicap (1800m).

The four-year-old son of Frankel won two of his first four starts in the UK and Bott has seen steady improvement in each gallop he’s undertaken in his build up – but is a little cautious when it comes to what to expect.

“He’s going the right way. He’s had three solid trials to have him prepared for that sort of trip first-up,’’ he said.

“It was a good improvement at his latest trial. Like all Europeans I think there is improvement to come from naturally having that time to adjust to the conditions.

"We’ll learn more about him on Saturday.”

Kibou runs second at Randwick on June 10

Bott on Resonator (race 1): “He’s in great shape, it was a good strong win there last start and he seems in good form. A little bit of rain around this week won’t harm him at all.”

On Hi Dubai (race 6): “We thought enough of her to be in stakes company at her second start. She has a bit of ability about her, she looks well placed here and will improve off the first-up run.”

On So United (race 7): “It’s hard to fault what Amy (McLucas) did on him last time, it was an excellent ride and excellent job so she gets another chance with him. He’s been competitive around this sort of grade before and the distance is suitable for him. He’s been pretty consistent this campaign.”

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