Tulloch Lodge has adjusted its approach with Format for the upcoming VRC St Leger, but Adrian Bott remains confident in the colt’s prospects.
The three-year-old heads into Friday’s $200,000 Listed race at Flemington after a four-week break, having last raced on April 1 in the Tulloch Stakes, where he failed to finish among the leaders.
Bott and training partner Gai Waterhouse had initially aimed for the Group 2 2000m race as a lead-up to the ATC Australian Derby, but Format missed a spot as a third emergency. Instead, the pair opted for the St Leger, a race always part of their autumn plan.
“He went round in the market in the Tulloch, but he was disappointing that day,” Bott said. “We were still willing to back him up in the Derby, but that didn’t eventuate, and the plan was to potentially always take him down for the St Leger anyway.”
After missing the Derby, Format went to Flemington, where he beat Group 2 winner Lady In Pink in a jumpout last Thursday.
Format is aiming for a sixth win in the VRC St Leger for Waterhouse, following victories with Hippopus, Order Of The Sun, Runaway, Transact, and Sacramento.
The colt, by Frankel out of the Group 1-winning mare Nechita, is striving to make history in the race, which predates the Melbourne Cup. Bott is optimistic Format will thrive over the 2800m.
“He should appreciate the trip,” Bott said.
Format will start from barrier eight with Ben Melham aboard.