Gold Standard has an opportunity to live up to his name when the promising colt makes his black-type debut at Randwick.
The three-year-old makes the step up from his maiden win at Canterbury on August 9 to Saturday’s Group Three Up And Coming Stakes (1300m).
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Gold Standard has been on an upward trajectory since running second on debut at Warwick Farm, and is highly rated by the partnership.
“We’ve always thought he was a colt of well above average ability. I think this is the right time to give the horse an opportunity in black-type company,” Bott said.
“He’s won his maiden impressively and from what we saw in his work on the course proper on Tuesday morning he looks like he has improved from the run.”
Bott has been impressed with Gold Standard since he trailed the Bjorn Baker-trained Addictive Nature home at Warwick Farm on July 19 and said his 1-1/4 length victory at Canterbury was further evidence of a bright future.
“I love the way he quickened away from the field late in the piece and was strong all the way through the line,” he said.
“I know it’s a jump up in class but it’s certainly not beyond him.
“He comes in right down in the weights on the (53kg) minimum. It’s a nice progressive step for him.”
Waterhouse and Bott, who are represented by Ecuador in the Group Two Warwick Stakes feature against Winx, also bring Sweet Redemption ($8) back from a spell in the Group Three Toy Show Quality (1300m).
“Her previous form suggests she does take a run or two to reach her best form,” Bott said.
