Bottler ready to go one better in Newcastle after striking debut

An emerging Warwick Farm-based three-year-old will be out to deny a group of promising first starters and prove his own eye-catching debut was no flash in the pan when he lines up at Monday’s feature meeting on the Newcastle course proper.

The meeting was shifted from the Beaumont surface late yesterday due to heavy rain.

Bottler rattled home from last at big odds to finish under a length from smart winner Densetsu at Wyong earlier this month. The form has already stacked up well from that race, with the third placegetter Bo Katan charging home to claim his maiden at the same track four days ago.

It all gives trainer Joe Pride and a big group of owners plenty of confidence Bottler can break through in a 1200m maiden for the boys, despite early markets suggesting otherwise. By Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, and out of a mare by another Slipper winner in Flying Spur, Bottler not only has the pedigree to handle rain-affected ground, but also to get over a bit further. But there won’t be a lot of room for error against a few city rivals also making the trip up the freeway.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable debuts recently gelded Absolute Power in blinkers behind two improving trials, while Peaceful Prince from the Annabel Neasham yard looks hard to beat.

Heading the new provincial charge is exciting Zoustar gelding Jovial Kid from the Kris Lees stable who begins in blinkers off two trials, while following the same two-trial preparation, American Pharoah colt Luskaire debuts for the Kristen Buchanan camp.

Meanwhile, there’ll be plenty of intrigue also surrounding the final race with exciting Scone-based three-year-old Know Thyself reloading for his second start.

By multiple group 1-winning star The Autumn Sun, Know Thyself announced himself in style when he swept home from the trail to easily score on debut over 1200m as a heavily backed favourite on the course proper here.

Jumping from the same ideal cover barrier, he looks set to go off a short-priced fancy again, and likely head to the city if he blitzes this field.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au