Adrian Bott has not taken five horses to a race before, but the Silver Shadow Stakes on Saturday offers the perfect starting point before a talented bunch of fillies from Tulloch Lodge go their separate ways.
Bott, who shares the training partnership with Gai Waterhouse, will be busy as he saddles Platinum Jubilee, Taormina, Autumn Ballet, Amazonian Lass and Summer Loving in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m). Each of them has a different target for the spring, which could make the group 2 for fillies a key form race.
Platinum Jubilee surges to victory in the Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick last year.Credit: Getty
“I can’t remember having five in a race before; Gai would have,” Bott said. “It’s just a nice kick-off point for them and they will probably go down different paths from here. They’re not all going to meet each other on every occasion, but they’re all deserving to be here in their own right. There are plenty of options after Saturday, and a couple could go down to Melbourne as well.
“A couple will be better when they get out in trip, but we have a strong group of fillies, as you can see, and it will be good to see where they finish up.”
The market has Platinum Jubilee as Tulloch Lodge’s best chance at $5. She is challenging Percy Sykes Stakes winner Kristilli and Estriella for favouritism.
“She is probably the obvious one that could head to a Golden Rose, because she’s raced at that class throughout her two-year-old campaign. She’s got that fair bit of speed and quality about her,” Bott said. “The other fillies are looking for longer trip and will be better suited when we get to races like the Flight Stakes and even the Oaks.”
Platinum Jubilee’s only win came with a storming performance in the Gimcrack Stakes, but was runner-up in the Magic Millions Classic and Silver Slipper. Her latest barrier trial was controlled, indicating she is sharp and ready to return. Taormina, which won both her starts late in the winter, will have the advantage of race fitness. Bott said the plan was to head to the Princess Series.
“She had some strong runs through the winter and she’s got to take that next step into this sort of grade,” Bott said.
Black Opal winner Autumn Ballet and Amazonian Lass will use the race as a building block towards Flight Stakes and Oaks later in the preparation.
“Autumn Ballet is trialling like she will really stretch out in trip and Amazonian Lass is an Oaks filly that we have put the blinkers on for the first time,” Bott said. “Summer Loving is interesting because she was very good first-up from an outside barrier.
“It’s a race where I will need an extra set of eyes.”
Earlier in the afternoon, North Star Lass, which was third behind Zougotcha and In Secret in the Silver Shadow Stakes last year, returns in the Toy Show Quality, and Australian Derby winner Major Beel steps out in the Winx Stakes over a trip that is obviously short of his best.
“We are trying to get him through to the Metropolitan and the Caulfield Cup and have the view he will appreciate get back out to that trip,” Bott said.
Buenos Noches aims for heights of The Everest
It is easy to forget that Buenos Noches came closest to lowering the colours of Everest winner Giga Kick last spring, but trainer Matt Smith certainly hasn’t.
Smith will look to showcase Buenos Noches for The Everest in the Show County Quality at Randwick on Saturday. Buenos Noches might have only won twice in seven starts, but there is an argument that the four-year-old entire was the best colt in a star-studded three-year-old year in which Giga Kick and flying filly In Secret stood out.
Giga Kick holds off Buenos Noches in the Danehill Stakes a fortnight before winning The Everest.Credit: Racing Photos
Giga Kick only just held off Buenos Noches in the Danehill Stakes last year. Cannonball, which went to Royal Ascot, was a length away, and he was two lengths from In Secret in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“We are aiming to get him into The Everest. I think it is the race that everyone wants to be a part of when you have a horse like him,” Smith said. “He is a lot bigger and stronger than he was as a three-year-old and has grown into his body and strengthened, so the signs are good that he is going to be better.”
The autumn didn’t go to plan for the son of Supido. A fifth in the Lightning Stakes over 1000m – a trip didn’t suit his powerful finishing style – was followed by a run in the Newmarket that is best forgotten.
“He pulled lame out of the Newmarket and then he started coughing and had a virus, so the autumn just went pear-shaped,” Smith said. “We just pulled the pin on the prep and spelled him.
“There wasn’t much else we could do, which was disappointing because he is very good. It might have helped him to have that break because he looks incredible.”
Smith has learnt that Buenos Noches needs tempo and 1200m, so he chose the Show County as the starting point, which also gives him the chance to showcase his talent while many other Everest contenders are still getting ready for a return. He has earned the topweight of 58.5 kilos and is a $4.40 chance as he gives $3.40 favourite Extremely Lucky 5kg in the handicap.
“We haven’t heard anything from Everest slot-holders yet, but people want to see him do it, which is understandable,” Smith said.
“If he can come out and do it on the weekend it would put him in the game.”
Smith will also take French Endeavour to Randwick as the Flight Stakes prospect lines up in the Princess Series opener, the Silver Shadow Stakes, as an $81 outsider.
“It is too short for her on Saturday because she is more a 1400m horse and a miler. but you need to get a couple of runs into them before that,” Smith said.
“We will run her through the Princess Series and see her best at the mile.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
