While focus may be on the Gold Coast this Saturday for the stable’s juveniles, Red Resistance ($3.70) backed up some smart trials to lead all of the way on debut in the Ned Australian Whiskey Handicap (1100m).
Former leading Victorian jockey Brett Prebble, who has recently moved to Sydney, got off to the perfect start, able to control the race from the inside barrier and hold off the race favourite Steel City, with the pair clearing out from the rest of the field.
With Waterhouse & Bott at the Gold Coast to oversee their Magic Millions hand, stable representative Neil Payne gave credit to the stable for having the colt fit enough to hold off the late challenge.
“He was just the fittest on the day. He’s a horse with ability, Gai & Adrian always thought he had ability, he’s a leggy fella and he handled the day really well,” Payne said.
As is typical with the stable’s horses, Red Resistance showed good speed to lead and Prebble got everything out of the Russian Revolution colt in the straight.
“He jumped very well for Brett, he controlled it and he was the fit horse going into today. Gai & Adrian had him really on the ball for today’s race, drawn one was a bonus and Brett rode him great,” Payne said.
Prebble, who rode a winner at Gosford on Friday, was happy with the start he’s made in Sydney as he embarks on a new challenge.
“I was at a crossroads a little bit in Victoria, where I was going to go and what I was going to do so I just thought long and hard with my manager and we came up with a plan… it’s starting to pay dividends now,” Prebble said.
As for the horse, Prebble believes he is only going to improve with racing but was impressed by the colt’s physique.
“He’s a really lovely horse, he’s an imposing horse… he probably looked the favourite In the yard) but wasn’t. Coming from the Waterhouse Bott stable they’re going to be very well educated,” Prebble said.
“He floated basically from the 300… he’s got real good potential, when he stretches and gets to 1400, a mile, you’re going to see a really smart horse.”
