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| Staff Writer |
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Adrian Bott, co-trainer of the powerhouse Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing stable, is riding the crest of a wave as he looks ahead to the upcoming Spring Carnival. With a record-equalling season already under his belt, Bott is far from content to rest on his laurels. Instead, he's plotting an ambitious assault on some of Australian racing's most prestigious events, with a particular focus on the Sydney Spring Carnival and the AUD$20 million The Everest.
The 2023-24 racing season has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Waterhouse-Bott partnership. A recent double at Canterbury in late June 2024 took their season tally to an impressive 165 wins, matching their previous best mark set in the 2017-18 term. But it's not just the quantity of victories that stands out; it's the quality.
The stable has amassed over AUD$30 million in prizemoney, a figure bolstered by six Group 1 triumphs. Among these, Lady Of Camelot's Golden Slipper victory and Alligator Blood's Underwood – Might And Power Stakes double in the spring were particular highlights. These results have cemented the Waterhouse-Bott team's position at the pinnacle of Australian racing.
Despite the dizzying heights already reached, Bott's gaze is firmly fixed on the horizon. "We've had a bit of luck and a bit of success this season, which has helped generate very good support from the group in Australia," Bott acknowledges. "So that helps strengthen our chances going into the new season. We very much want to keep that momentum going."
The Sydney Spring Carnival looms large in Bott's plans, with several exciting prospects already earmarked for key races. "The main horses for the spring carnival are starting their own training at the moment," Bott reveals. "They are starting to take shape in their preparations. A few have started at the trials already."
One such horse is Tropical Squall, a promising filly who recently won a barrier trial at Rosehill. Bott has pencilled her in for a potential tilt at the Winx Stakes, the first Group 1 of the new season. It's a bold target that underlines the stable's ambition and confidence in their emerging talent.
When it comes to The Everest, Australia's richest race and the jewel in the crown of the Sydney Spring Carnival, Bott is spoilt for choice. He's identified several potential contenders, focusing strongly on his rising three-year-olds who excelled as juveniles.
"The main ones are our two-year-olds and racing three-year-olds," Bott explains. "They were top class at two and I think they're ready to make that improvement."
Bott considers Lady of Camelot, due to trial on Friday at Randwick, the reigning Golden Slipper champion, a serious Everest contender. Espionage, a multiple Group 3 winner as a two-year-old, joins her on the shortlist. Bott describes the Zoustar colt as a "very nice sprinting style of horse that I think has a lot of improvement and upside."
Perhaps the most intriguing prospect is Storm Boy, who was favourite for both the Golden Slipper and Magic Millions. "He's got plenty of class about him," Bott notes, hinting at the colt's potential to make a significant impact in the spring.
The fact that Bott can name three legitimate Everest contenders from his stable is a testament to the depth of talent at his disposal. It also highlights the meticulous planning that goes into preparing for a race of such magnitude and prestige.
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While the focus is firmly on the future, Bott hasn't forgotten about his stable star, Alligator Blood. The multiple Group 1 winner is currently recuperating from an injury, but Bott remains cautiously optimistic about his recovery.
"He's recovering well," Bott reports. "There's still no official decision made in terms of his return regarding his future racing career. He is still just resting."
An upcoming scan will clarify Alligator Blood's potential return to the track. Bott emphasises the careful approach being taken: "Obviously, we would like to do everything in our power to see him have a successful recovery and successful return to racing. But ultimately, as always, we will continue to do whatever is the right thing to do."
The care and consideration being shown to Alligator Blood exemplify the Waterhouse-Bott stable's approach to horse management. This attention to detail and prioritisation of horse welfare has contributed to their remarkable success.
While the Sydney Spring Carnival and The Everest are primary targets, Bott hasn't lost sight of the race that stops a nation. The Melbourne Cup remains a tantalising goal, one that Bott is eager to claim in partnership with Gai Waterhouse.
"We have a number of chances within the stable to try and get to the Melbourne Cup," Bott reveals. "It's something we'd love to do together as a partnership."
Among the potential Cup contenders, Bott names Poptronic, a Group 1 winner from Europe who's a new addition to the stable. There's also Military Mission, who contested the Cup last year and is expected to benefit from that experience.
Bott says of Military Mission, a 2023 Melbourn Cup contender under his charge, "But this preparation, he's more seasoned initially; he could well be the horse we take through." (To 2024 Melbourne Cup).”
Bott's ambitions aren't limited to Australian shores. The stable recently decided to bring Asian Daze back from her European campaign. The mare won at Newmarket and performed creditably at Royal Ascot, providing her owners with an unforgettable international racing experience.
"We are certainly keen to get her down here racing in Australia," Bott says. He believes the mare will thrive over distances between 1400m and 1600m, with her turn of foot expected to be a significant asset in Australian conditions.
This willingness to campaign horses internationally and integrate them into the Australian program demonstrates the stable's global outlook and adaptability.
Looking beyond the immediate spring targets, Bott is excited about the potential of his younger horses. He speaks enthusiastically about the progeny of first-season sire Farnan, and the established stallion Justify, both well-represented in the Waterhouse-Bott stable.
"We supported the progeny of Farnan very heavily this season," Bott explains. "He really had a good chance as a stallion; he was obviously trained by the stable to win a Golden Slipper."
As for Justify, Bott notes, "The progeny of Justify have been excellent for us. They're the up-and-coming ones."
The focus on identifying and developing young talent ensures a constant pipeline of potential stars, vital for maintaining the stable's position at the forefront of Australian racing.
Managing a large and successful stable across multiple locations presents its own challenges. Bott and Waterhouse have streamlined their operation by focusing primarily on their Sydney base and a smaller stable in Melbourne.
"That's always a challenge, the logistics and keeping across horses in another part of the country," Bott admits. "That's the reason why we try and keep it relatively simple, and we tried to keep things quite tight."
This approach allows for seamless transfer of horses between states as needed, ensuring that each animal can be placed to its best advantage without compromising on the level of care and attention it receives.
As the 2024 Spring Carnival approaches, all eyes will be on the Waterhouse-Bott stable. Expectations are sky-high with a record-breaking season behind them and a wealth of talent at their disposal. But if anyone is equipped to meet and exceed those expectations, it's Adrian Bott.
His meticulous planning, global perspective, and unwavering focus on horse welfare have already yielded extraordinary results. As he sets his sights on the Sydney Spring Carnival, The Everest, and beyond, the racing world waits with bated breath to see what this remarkable trainer will achieve next.
In a sport where standing still means falling behind, Adrian Bott is clearly a man on the move, constantly pushing forward and seeking improvement. If his past achievements are anything to go by, the 2024 Spring Carnival could well be another chapter in what is fast becoming one of the most impressive stories in Australian racing history.