Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are hoping for a smoother spring campaign with promising colt North England after a disrupted autumn preparation limited his opportunities.
The son of 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan has always been highly regarded and stamped his potential with a victory in the Group 3 Golden Gift (1100m) last year. However, a setback early in the autumn meant he missed key lead-up runs to the Golden Slipper (1200m).
“The plan is for him to trial a couple of times before resuming in the San Domenico Stakes,” Bott said. “Hopefully this time around we can get an uninterrupted preparation.”
North England made his first public appearance this campaign in a 900-metre trial at Rosehill on Tuesday, finishing a close third for regular rider Tim Clark.
After missing the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) due to a blood issue, he returned to run sixth in the Golden Slipper before ending his two-year-old season with a win in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes.
“He still put together a very solid two-year-old campaign, and we’re thrilled with how he’s returned this time in,” Bott said.
Waterhouse and Bott have a strong record in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m), winning with Storm Boy in 2023 and In The Congo in 2021, who later captured the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).
This year’s San Domenico Stakes will be held at Rosehill Gardens on August 30.