Adrian Bott is hopeful Royal Patronage can mirror the resurgence of Mr Brightside as he begins his spring campaign at Randwick.

The pair both ran below expectations in Hong Kong’s Champions Mile (1600m) earlier this year, but Mr Brightside has since bounced back with a second in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) and victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

“Things didn’t work out for him in Hong Kong but he’s had a good break off the back of that,” Bott said.
“He is first-up here and Mr Brightside has shown you can bounce back off those international preps. He seems in good shape and he is coming up well.”

Royal Patronage has accepted for both the 7 Stakes (1600m) and Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m), but connections are leaning towards the mile option.

Bott concedes starting fresh over 1600m is a challenge but believes the distance is his ideal target, with an eye on the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on Everest day.