Jockey Dylan Gibbons is convinced that if Under Focus achieves a good start in the Golden Rose, the colt is capable of playing a significant role in the race’s outcome.
The three-year-old made his task considerably harder when he was slow to leave the barriers in the Run To The Rose (1200m), but he demonstrated strong finishing power to secure third place behind Warwoven and St Gotthard.
Prior to that performance, he finished in the midfield from a wide draw in the Rosebud (1100m). With a favourable low gate on Saturday, Gibbons considers him a genuine 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 an $11 outsider, Under Focus has the favourite Guest House drawn immediately to his outside, and Gibbons concedes the latter is the benchmark competitor.
However, the Golden Slipper winner’s somewhat unconventional preparation, arriving at this race directly off his first-up San Domenico Stakes (1100m) victory, and the fact that he, like Under Focus, has not been tested over the 1400m distance, gives Gibbons hope of uncovering a potential weakness.
“He’s had to take an untraditional route, so he’s a keen horse going second-up into a 1400,” Gibbons stated.
“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 trained by Gibbons’ former employer, Kris Lees, with both aiming for their first win in this significant stallion-making race.
The pair have already combined for success at the highest level with Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes (2400m), and Lees believes Under Focus has had the optimal 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 said.
“He’s come through it nicely. I’m really happy with where he’s at.”
Betting markets for the Golden Rose are now open at Australian betting sites.