Bear essential to Waterhouse and Bott's black type bid at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
Bear On The Loose faces a stamina test and Sir Lucan is trying to snap a year-long losing streak.
But trainer Adrian Bott has a quiet confidence in both imported geldings going into the Listed $200,000 Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
With co-trainer Gai Waterhouse in England trying to source their stable's next overseas equine recruits, Bott has kept famous Tulloch Lodge's winning momentum going in recent weeks.
In fact, if Bear On The Loose or Sir Lucan can win the Winter Cup or the Waterhouse-Bott team has success at Eagle Farm, it will move the training partnership closer to a career-best season at Group and Listed level.
There's less than two months of the 2024-25 season remaining but Waterhouse and Bott have already trained the winners of 33 stakes races and need just two more black type wins to equal their previous best return at feature race level they set last season.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have Bear On The Loose early Winter Cup favourite at $3.60 with stablemate and defending champ Sir Lucan at $23.
Bott also conceded Bear On The Loose was the stable's number one seed even though the five-year-old has never been out to 2400m in his 13 career starts.
Bear On The Loose goes to the Winter Cup after three lead-up runs including a close second to Glory Daze over 2000m at Randwick last start.
'We feel he's racing well and the form out of his Randwick run is good,'' Bott said.
'He stuck on nicely that day on a very heavy track and the drier conditions (Rosehill is rated a soft 5) are going to be to his advantage.''
Bott said he expected Bear On The Loose to take up the frontrunning role.
'I think he is most likely to lead and hopefully he can roll along at his own tempo,'' Bott said. 'I'm confident he can run 2400m.''
WATCH OUT! There's a BEAR ON THE LOOSE! �
The imported galloper makes an immediate impact in Australia, winning the 10th at Rosehill for @MyRacehorse & @GaiWaterhouse1 with @nashhot in the saddle.
Goes $26 into $21 for the Caulfield Cup. pic.twitter.com/gN3dSIe0lK
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 29, 2024
•
Sir Lucan has been winless since taking out the Winter Cup 12 months ago.
But the seven-year-old returns to defend his 'title' and if successful will join Royal Bark (1962-63) as the only horses to win successive Winter Cups.
The only other multiple Winter Cup winner was the remarkable Destiny's Kiss – but his wins were six years apart in 2013 and 2019. The former Joe Pride-trained stayer also ran second (2018) and third (2017) in the feature Rosehill staying race.
Sir Lucan has only had the one start this campaign when he failed to beat a rival to the line in the Lord Mayor's Cup won by Touristic two weeks ago.
Bott was cautiously optimistic about Sir Lucan's chances of staging the ultimate form reversal and going back-to-back in the Winter Cup.
'Sir Lucan got further back than expected first-up, he should improve again but is still working his way back to his peak,'' Bott said.
'He's worked well since and he's certainly capable of running well but Bear On The Loose is the stable's best chance.''
Sir Lucan is too good for them in the Listed Winter Cup at Rosehill! � @aus_turf_club @GaiWaterhouse1 pic.twitter.com/VPJUXOcw80
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024
Bott also has another import, Assailant, set to race competitively in the TAB Handicap (2000m).
Assailant, by English super sire Dubawi, shaped promisingly at his Australian debut when third to Hell To Pay at Canterbury.
'It was a nice run from Assailant a couple of weeks ago and he's in great shape,'' Bott enthused.
'He should improve on a bigger track and more suitable distance. He's a young horse with a future.''
No trouble here! Hell To Pay digs deep to win at Canterbury! ðŸ'° @AnnaRoper_ | @JohnOSheaRacing | @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/5smT3Hw9Wk
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 28, 2025
•
Bott, who also has topweight Ganbare resuming in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m), said Waterhouse will attend England's famous Goffs Sale next Monday on the eve of the Royal Ascot carnival.
'We are going through the catalogue for the Goffs Sale next week,'' Bott said.
'Gai will be there and we have had some luck at that sale. Pornichet came from that sale, as did New Endeavour.''
Pornichet won the Group 1 Doomben Cup a decade ago and New Endeavour, a last start winner of the Lord Mayor's Cup, is one of the main chances in the Group 2 $1.2 million Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
'New Endeavour won really well last start and has trained on nicely,'' Bott said.
'He is going to this distance for the first time but that win will give him confidence.''
The Waterhouse-Bott stable is also represented in both Group 1 races with The Instructor lining up in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Farnicle is in the $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m).
The Instructor has won three of his four starts this campaign including the Listed Luskin Star Stakes at Scone a month ago.
Bott said it has been a deliberate tactic to keep The Instructor on the fresh side for the Stradbroke.
'The Instructor is in good form, he's deep into his campaign but he's well in himself,'' Bott said.
'The plan was if he ran well at Scone then the option was to go to the Stradbroke and we have given him a trial between runs.
'He gets in with a lightweight (52kg) so there's plenty to like about him. Jett Stanley has won on the horse, he knows him well, and he can ride the weight.''
• Jett Hatton's Stradbroke Handicap tips, runner-by-runner form analysis
Bott also made a strong case for Farnicle after the two-year-old's good second to Cool Archie in the BRC Sires Produce Stakes.
'Farnicle keeps improving every time he steps out,'' Bott said.
'He is out of a good New Zealand mare (Jennifer Ecles who won the 2020 NZ Oaks) so there is plenty to suggest he will stay the trip. I think he will be suited by the mile.''
The Waterhouse and Bott-trained Campaldino is aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the Group 2 $400,000 Brisbane Cup (3200m).
'Campaldino has had a good grounding for 3200m,'' Bott said. 'The way he has been relaxing and racing gives you the confidence he will see it out.''
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
19 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘He's braver on the mic': Gordon Tallis takes aim at Aaron Woods snubbing of Billy Slater ahead of Origin II
Maroons legend Gorden Tallis has fired back at rival New South Welshman Aaron Woods who labelled Queensland coach Billy Slater a 'grub' in the lead up to State of Origin Game II. Woods, who played 14 games for NSW between 2013 and 2017, sparked debate last week when he publicly called out Slater on Triple M after the decision to drop veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. But on Sunday, Tallis on Triple M's Sunday Sin Bin program retaliated in defence of his statesmen, calling out Woods' character during his time as a player compared to his career now in media. 'He got sacked from six clubs so he knows what it feels like, and when Queensland start listening to a bloke that played his last six years in reserve grade, we've got problems,' Tallis said. 'He wasn't that brave when he was a player, he's braver on the mic. That's a good comeback, isn't it? 'He wouldn't have said that when he was playing, so that's my point.' Tallis criticised Wood's comparisons of Slater's negative moments during his playing days to his coaching ability. 'If you didn't say that (he was a grub) when you were playing against him and you keep on holding him accountable for what he did as a player, we're all in deep sh*t here. 'Every single person in our game has done something wrong. But as a coach I think he's doing a pretty good job. 'You know, Woodsy went and took his son about a month ago and got a photo taken with him (Slater), and if I thought someone was a grub you wouldn't go ask him for a photo.' In an attempt to rile up Queenslanders ahead of their must-win Origin clash in Perth, Woods took it upon himself to recreate the rivalry of last year's series. The Triple M radio host thought Slater abandoning the 'pick and stick' mentality following Game I's 18-6 loss was ironic given the coach's press conference after the match. 'To me that's p**s poor form from Billy Slater,' Woods said. 'After Game I in your press conference you said it wasn't about the personnel, you said you didn't play too well. 'You've come out and axed your captain Daly Cherry-Evans. You've said it wasn't a scapegoat, but mate it's a scapegoat. 'It's so funny because you watch these blokes up north and they say we don't get Origin and they use this pick and stick mentality. Well Billy you've just turned on your skipper. 'I want to see the real Billy Slater come out – the grub that we know of. This is a bloke who kicked John Skandalis in the head and got a six-week suspension. He doubled down when explaining his comments, while sitting next to Tallis, on NRL360. 'It's been a real poor build up to Origin. Game I was pretty boring, I thought the standard, the intensity on the field, the referee blew the pea out of the whistle and the game just didn't live up to what I thought it was going to be,' Woods said. 'So I just thought someone needed to say something, ruffle up a few feathers.' But Woods believes Queensland shouldn't need a retired ex-player to ignite them for an Origin matchup. 'If they're relying on me to say some words and use that as motivation, I think that's pretty disappointing for a Queenslander,' Woods said.
News.com.au
19 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Brisbane great Simon Black calls on Lions to show premiership qualities against Geelong
Lions great Simon Black says Brisbane's clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night is a 'statement game' for the premiers following a dip in form. Despite still being well placed in third on the AFL ladder, the Lions have only won two of their past six games and have suffered back-to-back losses. To avoid a hat-trick of defeats before the following week's bye, Brisbane will also need to taste success at a venue where it has proven hard to come by. Brisbane hasn't beaten the Cats in Geelong since May 2003 when a star-studded Lions outfit that included Brownlow medallist Black prevailed by 14 points. Since then the Lions have suffered 13 successive losses to the Cats at GMHBA Stadium. 'It's a pretty hostile place,' Black said. 'It's cold, the Cats play the ground really well, it's a long narrow ground and also the Cats have had a very strong team for a very long time. 'It is tough to win down there.' However, Black said the Lions were good enough to beat Geelong and urged them to make the most of their opportunity to not only end their drought at the venue but also dispel any doubts that might have surfaced about Brisbane's title defence. 'Not having a great record down there, being the reigning premiers and not having the best patch of form … it is fair say this is a statement game for Brisbane at a hostile venue against a really quality side,' he said. Black said the Lions' weren't 'wildly out of form' but had a few problems to solve, including inaccurate goalkicking. In their past two matches, Lions have kicked a combined total of 21 goals, while their behinds have tallied 33. 'Good kicking is good footy, and that hasn't been the case for the past couple of weeks,' Black said. The three-time premiership winner also said Brisbane could not afford to be sucked into another 'open game' as they were at the Gabba on Saturday by a GWS Giants side that was extremely quick and lethal in transitioning from defence to attack. 'Brisbane only made 28 tackles for the game, which was incredibly low. It was an open game, and it didn't suit the Lions, who are a strong stoppage side,' he said. '(Premiership-winning Brisbane coach) Leigh Matthews used to talk a lot about not wanting to make it an athletic carnival and on the weekend, it became an open athletics carnival. 'Through sheer athleticism and running ability, the Giants got the Lions, and if Geelong get their running game going, they'll be very dangerous as well.' Black said defender Jack Payne being ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured patellar tendon would be a 'big loss' for the Lions. 'Jack had taken his game to another level this year,' he said. With Payne gone, Black believed Darcy Gardiner should be reinstated to Brisbane's defensive unit. 'I'm a Darcy Gardiner fan. I'd go with him.' he said.
Daily Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Daily Telegraph
2025 Langer Trophy live stream: Ipswich SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Round 3
Don't miss out on the headlines from Schoolboy Cup Livestream. Followed categories will be added to My News. He was given a baptism of fire against a tough Marsden State High in his Langer Trophy debut, and Ipswich's Baxter Best more than stood up to the challenge. But what will be in store for the younger brother of Blues Origin series winner Bradman when he clashes with the might of reigning national champions Palm Beach Currumbin? That match will be streamed live and free on KommunityTV on Tuesday afternoon, headlining a big triple header which features the Walters Cup (Year 10) and Schoolgirls Cup. A full News Corp Australia digital subscription will be required to watch the Walters Cup and Schoolgirls Cup. There is a storied history between Ipswich and Palm Beach Currumbin, with the two schools meeting in back-to-back Langer Trophy deciders between 2022-23. Another chapter of that pulsating new rivalry will be unfold at the North Ipswich Reserve from 5.30pm. Palm Beach Currumbin enter round 3 with a 24-4 confidence-boosting win over Wavell behind them. Picture: Liam Kidston Ipswich only just escaped the Makos by the skin of their teeth in round 2, with Best brilliant when he was thrust into the fray earlier than first anticipated. 'I said 'unless there's an injury, I'll put you on with about 20 minutes to go and we will give you an experience',' coach Josh Bretherton said. Unfortunately it was a concussion to right centre Tomu Cook early in the match that created the opportunity for Best, 16, to show his wares as the youngest on the field. With just his second touch of the ball, Best made a brilliant break and set up a defining try to fullback Tom Parker. Best's sound performance was a great early indication of his ability to play above his age. The Year 10 student is a rare breed because to accelerate his development, he is bypassing the Walters Cup to play Opens football. Reece Walsh (Keebra Park) and Jared Horne (current Wavell senior) are a few others to have done this. Wavell SHS senior Jared Horne, pictured as a Year 9 student, made his Langer Trophy debut in Year 10 and is making his way back from a patella fracture in his knee. 'We felt that the best thing to do was to try and challenge him,' said Bretherton. 'To try put him out of his comfort zone.' Best thrived in the new environment. 'I thought he did a really solid job,' Bretherton said. 'I asked him to do some simple things defensively on exit and stuff and he did those things for me which is what I am most proud of. 'He did the team contribution stuff he needed to do and when the game broke open for him, he was able to do the bits everyone knows he can do.' Baxter Best gets the ball away to Tom Parker. Picture courtesy of Jack O'Brien. His positive touches and runs from right centre were welcomed given the turbulent lead up to Wednesday's game that saw Ipswich lose both its edge forwards. Starting second rowers Innocent Baruani (concussion protocol) and Elsiyah Laumatia (ankle) were both late outs in the 24 hours leading up to the round 2 heavyweight bout, with Laumatia rolling his ankle the morning of. With Ipswich lacking two potent forwards, Mel Nonu stepped up to produce a titanic performance on the wing. Nonu, the younger brother of Dolphins young gun LJ, caught high balls extremely well under pressure and when his teammates were tiring late in the game, he maintained a high standard. He caught the ball all alone with Marsden defenders rushing forward and carried the ball out of the Ipswich half with vim and vigour. 'He kept showing up and carrying. I couldn't be more proud. He was so, so valuable,' Bretherton praised. Nonu's rapid rise to being one of the first picked each week for Ipswich is the product of a strong pre-season. Mel Nonu has been outstanding in 2025. Last year Nonu was getting better with every game in the Langer Reserves competition before going on to start all nine matches in this year's Mal Meninga Cup for the Jets. 'We thought he could play at this level but that he was going to have to work hard to get to this level and there was no guarantee he would've done it this year,' Bretherton reflected. 'When he rolled back in (after the summer holidays) and obviously watching how well he played for the Jets, it was like 'oh he will do it easy'. 'He was just a completely different player.' Originally published as 2025 Langer Trophy live stream: Ipswich SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Round 3
