The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian BottĀ stable hope to be back at Flemington in 12Ā months’Ā timeĀ with White MarlinĀ contesting the Melbourne Cup.
White Marlin stretched his unbeaten streak to five with an emphatic win in The Macca’s Run (2800m) on Tuesday.
Tracking the speed throughout for Tim Clark, White Marlin, the $2.35Ā favourite, took over on straightening before racing to a soft 5-Ā½ length win from Protection Money ($71) withĀ CabocheĀ ($8) a further 1-Ā½Ā lengths away third.
After two wins in the UK, White Marlin has continued that form in Australia winning at Rosehill in September before victory over 2000m on the middle day of the Caulfield Cup Carnival.
Bott said White Marlin had taken it to another level with his victory on Tuesday.
“HeĀ just keeps getting better,” Bott said.
“He was very impressive today. He’s gone to a new level, up in class, upĀ in trip, he was very dominant.
“It’s very pleasing to see and for the connections going forward.”
Bott said White Marlin may have one more start in Melbourne to finish up the Spring Carnival, but the stable was also mindful of not wanting toĀ go too far, too early.
“We did leave the option for one more run this campaign andĀ we’llĀ have a good look at the Sandown Cup with him stretching out over 3200Ā metres,”Ā Bott said.
“I think it would be an option the way he ran it out today.
“We’re mindful of it being his first preparation over here and obviously theĀ long-rangeĀ plan is to be back here in 12Ā months’ time.
“We’ll see how thatĀ 12-monthĀ program willĀ lookĀ and we’ll see if that run again fits in.
“He’s shown us enough potential today and we’ll do what feels right for him.”
