Trainer Adrian Bott says it is hard to split stablemates Aeecee Beau and Minted as the two-year-olds prepare to clash on debut at Randwick.
Aeecee Beau and Minted step out in Saturday’s #theraces Handicap (1000m), a maiden for two-year-olds, on the Kensington track and Bott believes the pair have shown enough in their trials and training to make encouraging starts to their respective careers.
“I’m really upbeat about both of their chances and their careers going forward,” Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said.
“They’ve shown early ability and I think that’s been there for everyone to see in their trials.
“It’s very hard to split the two going into it. They have both shown us above average potential going into the race on what we’ve seen in their trials and at home.
“A lot will probably come down to luck in running and who can handle the race day pressure and take that next step, but I get the feeling they will both thrive on that.”
Saturday’s field, which has already been reduced from 14 to 12 after two scratchings, includes seven unraced horses while the raced brigade include Breeders’ Plate runner-up Covert Ops and Spaceboy who placed in his two starts earlier this season in the Golden Gift and Wyong Magic Millions.
Aeecee Beau finished fifth in his first barrier trial over 742m at Randwick on March 29 before running home down the outside to win his second trial over 735m on April 15 by 1-3/4-lengths.
Minted was unplaced in an official trial last spring while he has figured in the placings in two trials this time in including attacking the line strongly late between runners in his most recent trial at Randwick.
“Aeecee Beau settled off a nice speed in his last trial and showed some great acceleration and was really strong through the line,” Bott said.
“He looks a natural two-year-old type, a real sprinting type.
“We’ve had to be little bit patient with Minted but he was excellent there in his last trial. He relaxed nicely in behind a few of them and only got out and was able to be tested late but he also showed a great turn of foot when asked.
“He picked them up nicely through the line. Both look in great physical shape going into the race and it just looks a nice race for them.”
