An interrupted Autumn campaign left Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott rueing what might have been with Newgate Bloodstock and China Horse Club owned colt North England.
High up in markets for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) since his very first public trial on September 23rd, the son of the stable’s 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan had a setback that saw him miss his first up run in the Autumn.
Prior to that, he’d won the $1 million Group 3 Golden Gift (1100m) and Bott, who joined hall of fame trainer Gai Waterhouse in 2016, said he was hoping for a smoother run this Spring.
“He will have a couple of trials and we’ll see him resume in the San Domenico,” Bott said.
“He had a bit of an interrupted campaign last time heading towards the Slipper but hopefully this time through we can have a bit of luck.”
North England had his first public appearance for the campaign on Tuesday morning at Rosehill in a 900m Group trial, boxing on well for a narrow third under regular jockey Tim Clark.
Having missed the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) after showing unsatisfactory bloodwork, North England managed to run a game sixth in the Golden Slipper second up from a spell and Bott believes the preparation was still a success.
“He was still able to finish off nicely with a win in the Kindergarten so he still had a successful two-year-old career,” Bott said.
“He won the Group Three Golden Gift and the Group Three Kindergarten so he has done well and he’s come back in great shape.”
Waterhouse & Bott have typically resumed their top three-year-olds in The Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m), winning the race last year with Storm Boy and also with subsequent Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) winner In The Congo in 2021.
This year’s edition will be run on August 30th at Rosehill Gardens.
