Golden Slipper-winning co-trainer Adrian Bott admits he expected more from Postcode in the Pago Pago Stakes but believes the colt can show up in the Group Three Schweppervescence at Rosehill.
Postcode is chasing his first win at his fifth start in Saturday’s Group Three 1400m-race for two-year-olds.
Stablemate Farnan gave Bott and his training partner Gai Waterhouse victory in last Saturday’s $3.5 million Golden Slipper.
While Postode did not get to the Slipper, the colt has pleased Bott in the lead-up to Saturday’s race.
After a two-start spring campaign, he returned from a spell with a pleasing fourth behind subsequent Slipper placegetter Mamaragan in the Skyline Stakes last month.
Postcode then finished fifth in the Group Two Pago Pago on March 14.
While disappointed with the performance, Bott believes the inexperienced colt lost confidence in the straight after being tightened.
“It was an excellent run first-up when he was probably in need of the run,” Bott said.
“He knocked up at the furlong but I thought he stuck on well in a race of plenty of class.
“I thought he was a bit disappointing second-up, I was expecting him to show a bit more improvement but he didn’t have the easiest of runs.
“He suffered a bit of interference which I think for a pretty inexperienced horse just got him a bit unbalanced and he lost a lot of confidence from that.
“I’m being a bit forgiving of the performance and 1400 metres is going to be more suitable for him.
“I always thought he would appreciate stepping out in trip so this will tell us that.”
Postcode, to be ridden by Tim Clark, was at $11 on Friday with the Gerald Ryan-trained Return With Honour the $4.20 favourite in a capacity field.
