A quartet of untapped three-year-olds from Tulloch Lodge will be given their chance in feature races at Rosehill, including a relation to a Golden Slipper placegetter.
Shangri La Boy, a half-brother to 2024 Magic Millions winner and Slipper placegetter Storm Boy, joins barn mate Champagne Hero in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m), while Farnicle and Duke Of Arrakis go head-to-head in the Tapp-Craig (1400m).
“They’re all getting to this level quick enough that they’ve got a lot more progression to go and they haven’t been fully exposed,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said.
“Hopefully we can learn a bit more about them on Saturday.”
Both Gloaming Stakes runners are last start winners in lesser grade and while Saturday’s feature represents a class rise, Bott says they should appreciate the extra journey.
“Both are stepping up in grade and importantly stepping up in trip, which is what they both need. That’s where they can potentially find some level of improvement,” Bott said.
“I wouldn’t say we were rushed getting them here but it’s a quick turnaround from their last respective races, although they are both nice staying types.”
Shangri La Boy arrives at the race after claiming a Super Maiden (1400m) at Rosehill last Wednesday, while Champagne Hero notched his second career win over 1500m at Newcastle a day later.
Bott is upbeat a in about the prospects of Farnicle after he finished just over a length from Golden Slipper winner Marhoona first-up in the Heritage Stakes (1100m).
The stable won the Tapp-Craig last year with Anode, who didn’t quite run out a strong mile when a subsequent third to fellow Tulloch Lodge-trained galloper Prost in the Callander-Presnell, although Bott is confident Farnicle can give both races a shake.
“He’s a horse who has shown he is going to need a bit more ground than Anode in time so I think he will be even better suited next start,” Bott said.
“But he ran really well in the Heritage. The 1100 was always going to be short of his best but I was impressed with the way he sprinted against those sharper types.”
Duke Of Arrakis will be second-up after placing behind Roman Consul Stakes contender Napoleonic in midweek grade and the team has employed a gear change to assist him with the class rise.
“He gets the addition of the blinkers and I think that can help him find the few lengths he needs,” he said.
