Four years ago, Adrian Bott entered a training partnership with the Queen of the Turf Gai Waterhouse, making him the man that would be King.
At Rosehill on Saturday,
Adrian Bott rewarded Gai for the faith she has placed in him, by
winning the $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes with Farnan.
Dashing out of a wide barrier,
Hugh Bowman and Farnan literally dictated the race from start-to-finish, setting a strong tempo in the early stages to keep all of his peers at bay, yet still being in complete control of the contest. After comfortably negotiating the turn, the son of Not a Single Doubt was put in to overdrive soon after straightening, before clearing out over the closing stages to register an eased down, 1.75 length victory.
Gai watched the race at her home in the Southern Highlands with husband Rob and family, cheering along. It was the training partnership’s first win in an event Gai had previously won six times in her own right, the same number as her famous father, TJ Smith.
Bott received congratulations from excited staff, with former jockey
Neil Paine forgetting about social distancing as he ran across the mounting yard to hug the 30-year-old.
Speaking on behalf of the winning training partnership, Adrian Bott declared:
“What a thrill! I’m very honoured and very humble to do it alongside a legend. For her to have six Golden Slippers, and now seven, and to do it with her, and with a colt of such quality, it’s really special for all involved.”
In reference to his legendary co-trainer Gai Waterhouse, Bott remarked:
“She makes it easy because she just expects you to win. She’s as confident as ever. Maybe I worry a little bit more.
“But she’s always been confident and it is comforting to have that person alongside you, who has been there and done it before so many times. Even down to the tactics, being dominant from that draw, was never a worry.”
“It’s a very surreal moment, the build-up, it’s been a long couple of weeks” Bott said.
“Group Ones are hard to win, particularly the Slipper. It’s a lot of work that goes to make it all fall into place. We’re quite thrilled that it’s all happened.
“It’s been very much a team effort and I very much wanted a part of it. She has got such a fantastic record in this race and I feel very honoured to do it alongside her.”
Adrian said Farnan (Not A Single Doubt-Tallow), the $4.80 favourite, had
“come back a different horse this campaign”.
“He’s been quite special. He has proved himself in the lead-ups as very dominant and he was dominant again today. He showed that great tactical speed that he has always had and was able to control the race.
“There was more pressure on today and that was always the question that had to be asked of him and he responded well. He was able to quicken and put them away nicely.”
Gai described the victory as
“an absolute dream come true” and heaped praise on the colt.
“He had to do it early, he had to cart the field up and they attacked him all the way up the straight,” she said.
As for Adrian, she had some especially kind remarks to make about him.
“I just get such a kick because Adrian is involved. He was the first to put his hand up and come into the business and take it over from me and he’s just flying. He’s a very special young man.”
Bowman was almost overawed by his first Golden Slipper success.
For a jockey at the height of his game, and who has virtually achieved everything in his profession,
“I’m lost for words to be honest,” admitted Bowman.
“I’d just like to congratulate Gai and Adrian and their team for the preparation. To develop this horse, to behave and race the way he did this afternoon, was second to none.
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride some really good horses over my career as everyone knows, but I haven’t ridden a better 2yo…
“I could sense the pressure coming at the 200m and I hadn’t asked for full-throttle, but when I did, my word, he responded and responded in style.”
Elaborating on the significance of the win, Bowman said:
“I mean, Sydney has been my home since I started riding, and this was the signature race for me growing up. To win it, I’m just lost for words and so proud and thankful to connections to place the trust in me to do the job.”
Dynamic Syndications are the
Waterhouse & Bott Stables Primary Syndicators and we are proud to offer shares in quality young horses for the Dynamic Duo to polish into sparkling gems.
We have several sensational early 2yo types available with Gai and Adrian that will be aiming to give GAI her eighth Slipper and Adrian his Second. Contact Adam Watt on 02 9540 1511 or 0409 464 378 and have a chat about what we have available.