Siege Of Quebec will step back in distance at Rosehill
A year after celebrating their first win as a training partnership with Thronum in the Rosebud, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are looking to mark the occasion with victory in the Listed race again.
Bott is relaxed at the prospect of Siege Of Quebec stepping back in distance on Saturday to 1100 metres at Rosehill.
Although the three-year-old was also entered for a trial on Tuesday, The Rosebud was always the preferred assignment this week for an up-and-comer who is being aimed at the $1 million Group One Golden Rose (1400m) in September.
“We’d be mad not to let him take his place. He’s well and truly ready for black-type. He’s shown that quality all the way through. We think he’s a really special colt,” Bott said.
Siege Of Quebec won over 1400m last start at Rosehill in mid-July and Bott had no worries about bringing him back to 1100 in Saturday’s feature.
“In most circumstances we may not have dropped back in trip but a colt like him gives you confidence that you’re able to do those sorts of things,” Bott said.
“He looks well-placed with the weights, it’s a small field, he’s got a great turn of foot and we’ve freshened him up between runs.
“He’ll be capable of running out a sharp 1100 and that still leaves him perfect for a nice Golden Rose pathway.
“We could easily stretch this horse out to a Golden Rose trip or a (Caulfield) Guineas trip because he relaxes so well in his races.”
Siege of Quebec was ranked the $2.90 second favourite behind the Gerald Ryan-trained Menari ($2.80) with the TAB on Thursday in the eight-strong field.
Jockey Tim Clark had some reservations the step back in distance, but noted Waterhouse and Bott recently challenged Arbeitsam to do likewise.
The four-year-old gelding regrouped after a second over 1800m at Rosehill on July 15 by winning handily over 1400m on the same track a fortnight later.
“Hopefully it’s the same formula with this bloke, and it can work,” Clark said.
