Adrian Bott holds no misconceptions regarding the challenge ahead for Watson in the Eskimo Prince Stakes, relying on the promising three-year-old to leverage his superior fitness.
Watson remains unbeaten across his two outings this campaign, kicking off with a dominant victory at Kembla Grange followed by another commanding success at Canterbury.
Bott attributes the enhanced displays to a gelding operation conducted after his debut racing season, as the horse gears up for his sternest examination in Saturday’s Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
“He was gelded after that first ‘prep’ and that’s a big factor in the improvement we’ve seen in him. His two runs have been excellent,” Bott said.
“He wasn’t coltish, but things weren’t falling into place. He would show something at home but under pressure in trials or on race day, he was doing a few things wrong and mentally wasn’t ready yet.
“It has helped him focus on what needs to be done and bring that work we’ve seen at home to the races.”
Watson faces seven opponents at Randwick, among them Golden Rose placers Wodeton and Tempted, stakes victor Napoleonic, and high-class topweight Rivellino.
All competitors are returning from a spell, and Bott anticipates Watson’s latest race exposure will compensate for his shortage of elite event know-how.
“That’s the biggest advantage he’s got going into the race is that bit of race fitness that he’s carrying. He’s coming off two nice wins and there is further improvement again,” he said.
Tulloch Lodge fields a solid contender in the day’s highlight, the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m), featuring Golden Gift third Plagiarism.
Bott notes the colt stacks up well against their 2024 triumph Fully Lit at a comparable point, both under the care of syndicators RedFox Racing.
“Fully Lit had the one run going into it in that preparation. Plagiarism has had the benefit of experience from a previous campaign, so he’s well-seasoned in that regard,” he said.
“He looks a natural running two-year-old, which we saw (in the Golden Gift).
“I think that form will stack up, and he seems to be back in good shape off the back of a couple of nice trials.”
Check the top Australian betting sites for the best odds on Watson in the Eskimo Prince Stakes.
The post Fitness advantage key for Watson in Eskimo Prince Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
