Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable is on fire at present, with six wins from its past eight starters over the past two days.
Following a midweek double at Randwick-Kensington and a winner at Sandown-Hillside, Tulloch Lodge chalked up another two-state treble on Thursday. At Cranbourne, the beautifully bred Harvest Moon (The Autumn Sun) scored a tough on-pace victory, while at Hawkesbury, Royal Tribute (Snitzel) saluted in the manner of a quality colt and Ganbare (Maurice {Jpn}) won for the second time.
“We thought we had some nice depth through some young, progressive horses. There’s still some big goals to go, hopefully, and the aim will be to get them through to the right races,” Bott told The Thoroughbred Report.
Harvest Moon laid a marker for the November 9 G1 VRC Oaks - a race her dam, Pinot (Pierro), won in 2017. The 3-year-old filly led and had to face a strong wind, but it mattered little.
“She is a filly that will get out over further, as she is bred to be, being out of an Oaks winner,” Bott explained. “We thought she looked a lot like her mum, so that was part of the attraction.
“Hopefully, she can go on and emulate what she did. That’s why she’s campaigning in Melbourne, we have the Oaks in mind. How she gets there, we’re still not sure.
“We know what her grand final is.”
“Hopefully, she (Harvest Moon) can go on and emulate what she did. That’s why she’s campaigning in Melbourne, we have the Oaks in mind.” - Adrian Bott
Bred by Arrowfield Stud and Jungle Pocket, she was offered by the former at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The filly was knocked down to her trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $420,000. Harvest Moon is Pinot’s second foal. Her first, Burgunder (Snitzel), won a Hawkesbury maiden when trained by Tulloch Lodge. Pinot is a half-sister to the Listed scorer Dizlago (Encosta De Lago) and the stakes performers Lucky Lago (Encosta De Lago) and Rock Giselle (Fastnet Rock).
Harvest Moon races in the Eclipse Thoroughbreds silks, just as Pinot did.
Royal Tribute showed plenty of speed from the outside draw, and after burning across to the lead, he made it a one-act affair.
“He’s got so much natural speed, this horse. He’s always been the quickest horse out of that 2–year-old crop that’s now three,” said Bott.
“He’s (Royal Tribute) got so much natural speed, this horse. He’s always been the quickest horse out of that 2–year-old crop that’s now three.” - Adrian Bott
“He went shin-shore before the Breeders’ Plate and then again in the autumn.
“He bumped into a smart colt in Ozzmosis on debut. We weren’t disappointed with his effort and it was a good form race.
“He’ll look to go through races like the Heritage, the Roman Consul and we would love to see him shape us as a Coolmore Stud Stakes horse for us.”
The colt was consigned by his breeder - Kia Ora Stud - at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was bought for $500,000 by his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds. Royal Tribute is the first foal of a Group 3 victress and she is a half-sister to the stakes performer Scrapper (Can) (Orb {USA}).
Royal Tribute races in the Go Bloodstock silks and other owners include Kia Ora and GPI Racing.
Ganbare, who won on debut at Canberra in January, notched the second victory of his fledgling career and he may be aimed towards the G1 Victoria Derby.
“He ran some nice races at two and his first-up run was good, but it just showed he is looking for a trip. Even off the back of today, he will get further,” Bott said.
“He’s a nice Classic prospect.”
Waterhouse-Bott has six runners entered for Rosehill on Saturday, including Butch Cassidy (Written Tycoon) in the G2 Run to the Rose and Cross Talk (NZ) (Keano {NZ}) in the G2 Theo Marks S., And at The Valley, Melbourne Cup hopeful Goldman (NZ) (Verdi {NZ}) is one of five runners for the stable. He lines up in the G2 Feehan S.
