Jockey Dylan Gibbons is of the firm belief that if Under Focus executes a clean start in the upcoming Golden Rose, the colt possesses the capability to contend for a top finish.
The three-year-old encountered difficulties at the beginning of the Run To The Rose (1200m), but displayed commendable closing speed to secure third place behind Warwoven and St Gotthard.
Prior to that performance, he registered a midfield finish from an outside barrier in the Rosebud (1100m). With a favourable inside draw on Saturday, Gibbons considers him a strong contender.
“First-up the draw cost him but he ran well,” Gibbons said.
“The other day he just sat down as the gates opened, but he was probably going to end up in that spot no matter what.
“When they backed the speed off, it was going to be hard to win, but I thought the fact he was able to go past a horse like Central Europe and make up two lengths on St Gotthard, that’s probably as good as he could have done from that position.
“(From that) alley, if he can jump a bit better and execute, there’s no reason why he can’t be in the top three.”
Currently listed at $11, Under Focus has favourite Guest House drawn immediately to his outside, and Gibbons acknowledges the latter as the horse to beat.
However, the Golden Slipper victor’s slightly unconventional preparation, arriving at this race directly off a first-up win in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m), and the fact that he, like Under Focus, has not yet been tested over 1400m, provides Gibbons with reasons to hope for a minor vulnerability.
“He’s had to take an untraditional route, so he’s a keen horse going second-up into a 1400,” Gibbons noted.
“He’s obviously the one to beat, but there are a few little things there that aren’t ideal for him.
“If that gets him a bit fired up, or the tempo’s not strong enough for him, it might just ruffle his feathers a little bit.
“But he has put the writing on the wall first-up, so he’ll get the respect he deserves.
“With my bloke, he’s been racing against the other ones, and I feel he’s on terms with them.”
Under Focus is prepared by Gibbons’ former mentor, Kris Lees, with both chasing their maiden triumph in this significant stallion-making event.
The pair have already collaborated for a top-level success with Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes (2400m), and Lees is confident about Under Focus’s preparation.
“We’ve been really happy with his two return runs. Obviously, just stepping a little slow in the Run To The Rose was costly but he worked home well,” Lees commented.
“He’s come through it nicely. I’m really happy with where he’s at.”
Consider the Australian betting sites for the upcoming Golden Rose.