Training Genius Adrian Bott On Star Sprinter In The Congo

In The Congo ran a top-class field of 3YOs into the ground in the A$1,000,000 Gr.1 Golden Rose. Racing in the colours of the Newgate Farm syndicate, In The Congo kept up a powerful gallop under jockey Tim Clark to defeat the favourite, Godolphin’s Anamoe, by a long-head with one and a quarter length back to Coastwatch in third.

Although it was an emotional moment for connections of Rothfire, who returned to the winner's circle for the first time in two years in the Gr.2 McEwen Stakes, the popular choice, In The Congo, finished sixth to the chagrin of his trainer and connections.

“Obviously, I think it's important to analyze the race and what unfolded. Were there any things on the day we could have done differently or changed with our approach to the race or the preparation?

“You can dwell on so many different scenarios, you go through so many variables, and you can really overanalyze things.

“I think it's important to reflect and work out if there were things within your control that you could have done differently.

“And I think that's important that these things are addressed,” he said reflecting back on the day.

“Moonee Valley is one of the trickiest and tightest tracks we would have in Australia. It's very much a specialist course. And obviously, in Melbourne, they're racing in a different direction to here in Sydney. So that was his (In The Congo’s) first look at Moonee Valley.

“He drew awkwardly in barrier seven of seven, even though it was a small field. We just landed in a tough position out wide with a number of quick horses inside us.

“We were in no man's land, covering plenty of ground and doing plenty of work. He got a little bit lost around there the first time and it was hard for him to get his balance with the frenetic speed over the 1000 metres. So yeah, things didn't quite work out.

“We know he's a good horse. We know he's a Group 1 sprinter, capable of winning those races so we've just got to get him back on track.

“And now he's had that experience at Mooney Valley, I think we can go back with a bit of confidence. But we're most likely to see him over 1200 meters there the next time.

“And that's just a completely different style of racing to the 1000 meters,” said Bott.

Born on Segenhoe Stud, Bott has had a life-long love affair with racing. He currently trains in partnership with Hall of Famer, Gai Waterhouse who followed in the footsteps of her legendary father, TJ Smith, and took over in 1992. Waterhouse made her own enormous mark on racing, with Alligator Blood – potentially bound for Ascot next year – last month providing her with a 150th Group 1 win.

“It's been an amazing journey”, said Bott, “Sometimes you don't get enough time to stop and actually think back and reflect on what's happened, or what's been achieved, or how the partnerships evolved over so many years. It is always about looking ahead and just working hard at it day to day.”

“I am in such a fortunate position to be given that opportunity by not just anyone, a Hall of Fame trainer who's got some amazing history behind her. She's obviously broken all the records here, and her father was an amazing trainer, Australia's best ever. He won the premiership for 33 consecutive years.

“It just puts into perspective how dominant he was at the time. And, she's had to come out of his shadow and prove herself.

“And there's a number of records that she's equalled, and in some cases bettered. Just to be working for someone like that is an honor, but then to have that opportunity to be in partnership and have her as a mentour has been phenomenal.

“As you continue to be successful, you want to see that Waterhouse-Smith-Tulloch Lodge name forever being associated with winning these big feature races.

“I think it's (their partnership) a very good balance, in that sense. And maybe that's why I feel there are great aspects where the partnership works, and each of us can provide different insights.

“And the most important thing is how are we going to move forward. It is equally as important to not dwell too long on things, and that's where Gai is very good,”

The son of famed Bloodstock Manager, Tony Bott, perhaps could have done many things, but racing was never far from the agenda.

“I think it was such an advantage having that upbringing. Without even realizing it, you're absorbing so much from such a young age, whether it be every conversation at dinner you're listening to with your family, seeing the interaction with owners, clients, or whatever it may be. I grew up around the horses, and it really opened my eyes to what's possible within the industry.

“It was hard not to be engaged with it. But my family never pushed me by any means. It's not an easy industry to make a career out of. It's certainly very time-consuming and absorbs every aspect of your life. So you really do have to love it.

“From a parent's point of view, you're certainly not pushing your children into that space. And that was the case for me, I think they really wanted me to find my own feet. You know, if there were dreams they had for me, they just wanted to try and provide me with the best education I could get in life.

“And let me experience as much as possible and see the world. This is what kept drawing me back.”

Adrian Bott and his co-trainer Gai Waterhouse have been pushing the case for crack colt, In The Congo, to gain a start in The Everest (2022). 

“He's a Group 1 winner at the high pressure 1400 meters, and I think you need that to win an Everest.

“The Everest, even though it's only 1200 meters, it's at Randwick, which is traditionally a tougher track. Just the natural speed of that race, the pressure is on from the minute that they jump. So even though it's 1200 meters, you really need to be a tough horse.

In 2021 Bott ruled out a start in the A$15 million feature for the Golden Rose winner, and instead followed a traditional career for the then-3YO with the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes with a firm look ahead at the 2022 Everest.

“The phone was certainly ringing very hot after his Golden Rose victory. He really profiled up like a serious Everest contender.

“Certainly, he was good enough to be there and be very competitive. But this time 12 months ago, he was in his first campaign and had only had a handful of starts. It just would have been a very big ask on the horse at that point in his career.

With only five horses being selected by slot holders, tensions run high, but Bott has a sharper perspective on the world’s richest race on turf.

“Unfortunately, we are probably a little bit light on the sprinting ranks at present. It's something that we're going to have to try and maybe change the way we look at a couple of things.

“We have traditionally looked at tried horses for the staying feature races. Whether there's an angle that we can look at bringing some international flavour over for the Everest, is something we may explore over the coming year. Trying to find a horse like Nature Strip, it's hard. When he goes on the world stage and does what he does, he's the best in the world.

“But I have every faith in In The Congo. He is our leading chance,” said the world-class trainer.