Storm Boy will have a barrier extension for the Golden Rose as trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott look for every edge in their quest to help the high-profile colt land a Group One win.
The horse cost himself in the Golden Slipper with a tardy start and was again slightly behind the eight-ball coming out of the gates in The Run To The Rose.
While Bott says the latter wasn’t entirely the horse’s fault, he has nonetheless left no stone unturned in his bid to deliver a major with the valuable stud proposition.
“We’ve tried to make a few tweaks and changes where we can to get an answer for what can help him that little bit more with that start and tactical speed,” Bott said.
“Last start was probably a little bit unfair. He jumped on terms but was crowded for room very early and hampered, rather than slow. But it did have him on the back foot.
“He’s a big horse and if that extension can help in some small way, that’s got to be a positive.”
That incident shortly after the start left Storm Boy having to muster speed and work hard to find the front in The Run To The Rose (1200m) and he did an outstanding job to fight on for third behind Traffic Warden.
Saturday’s feature is a crucial one given the status of the Golden Rose (1400m) as a stallion-making race and Bott is hoping it is his charge who steps up to ice the occasion.
“He has always been a high-profile colt, has always shown Group One ability and put in Group One performances on the clock and on the ratings, so now it’s time to make it count and actually get the Group One next to his name,” Bott said
“To cement the belief everybody has seen and had in him.”
Waterhouse and Bott will also saddle up The Run To The Rose second placegetter Anode and emerging colt Mayfair in Saturday’s Group 1.
Bott says track conditions will be crucial for the former with his best performances coming on top of the ground, while Mayfair, who has finished runner-up at his past two starts in Group company, is a potential wildcard from barrier five.
“He has improved every time he has stepped out,” Bott said of Mayfair.
“He probably has to make a couple of lengths improvement again, but he’s got that in him. He can do that.
“There is a lot to like about his profile going there. He has drawn well, Blake (Shinn) has got options from there and he’s got to be in the mix.”
Waterhouse and Bott are shooting for their second Golden Rose success after taking out the 2021 renewal with In The Congo.