A hardened and race-fit Japonisme will take on his Group One winning stablemate Press Statement in the Run To The Rose with trainer Chris Waller making a strong case why either can win.
Press Statement was given a break after he won the final of last season’s five Group One races for two-year-olds, the J J Atkins (1600m) in June a few weeks before Japonisme began a winning streak that now stands at four.
The two are among 10 entries taken for Saturday’s Group Two Run To The Rose (1200m), the designated lead-up to the $1million Golden Rose (1400m) on September 12, Sydney’s first Group One race of the season.
As a Group One winner, Press Statement will carry 60kg which his trainer admits is a concern while Japonisme has to step up to 1200 metres for the first time since he won a midweek maiden at the beginning of July.
His subsequent three wins have been over 1100 metres including the Group Three San Domenico Stakes in which Golden Slipper winner Vancouver suffered his first defeat when fourth.
“We know Japonisme is a really good sprinter over 1100 metres but he has to go up in distance in this class,” Waller said.
“He has to show he can to run in the Golden Rose.
“Press Statement has had two-and-a-half months away from the track and he has come back stronger.
“He only had a couple of weeks doing nothing and like all young horses he loves stable life and thrives on it.
“The only thing is the weight he has to carry with the four kilo penalty for being a Group One winner.”
Godolphin will also have two runners, Exosphere and Holler.
With dual Group One winner Pride Of Dubai out for the spring with bone bruising, Peter and Paul Snowden will rely on Redzel, third in the San Domenico.
Article from justhorseracing.com.au