The Canonbury Stakes will be a carnival litmus test for Tulloch Lodge colt Eviction Notice as he strives to turnaround a disappointing performance at his only start in the spring.
After posting an emphatic win at the first official two-year-old trials, Eviction Notice started high in the market for the Breeders’ Plate (1000m) but after working early to take up the lead, he tired and finished down the track.
Trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott put him straight in the paddock and Bott has been delighted with his progression since his initial campaign.
“Physically, he looks fantastic, and I can’t fault him,” Bott said.
“He started a fancied horse in the Breeders’ Plate and things just didn’t go to plan for him, but he seems in good order.”
Eviction Notice will face a rematch with Breeders’ Plate winner Incognito at Rosehill on Saturday and with the Golden Slipper just two months away, Bott welcomes the opportunity to gauge where his youngster fits into the juvenile picture.
“There are going to be some quality horses in that race so it will give us a good line on where he’s at,” he said.
“He has come back really well. He’s just got to step up and improve on what he did first campaign.”
The stable will be represented by filly Miss Chanel in the Widden Stakes (1100m) following her debut third behind Outspun at Rosehill two weeks ago.
That was on a rain-affected track and Bott expected her to appreciate a drier surface.
“She will improve nicely off the back of that and having had that experience,” Bott said.
“She will be better on top of the ground too.”
Bott reported their youngsters who competed at the Magic Millions earlier this month, including Shiki and The Debut runner-up Lady Moscato, wouldn’t be seen until later in the carnival, while Golden Gift placegetter Plagiarism was being aimed towards the Inglis Millennium (1100m) on Saturday week.
