Tulloch Lodge sits handsomely and ready to load the bases for slippers

“The performance was very good, to win on the midweek debut and made the right steps forward and I can see he’s the favorite on Saturday,” said Bott.

“With him, I think James Harron would be keen to crack the slipper if he wins, as would Henry Field with the other stallion [Bases Loaded]but is not given.

“We would wait and see how they fare because there are many races for horses of this quality in the future. They get a chance to show how good they are at Rosehill.

“Autumn ballet [which is early Black Opal favourite] won a trial really well and while it’s a big test to be the first to go to a race like this we think she’s up to it. The Years took a good win at Kembla last time and will do well there.

“It’s good to take good chances in these very important races.”

Bott said Tu Qui Santuzza, who won on his Canterbury debut, could use Magic Night as a step to get further into the carnival, with a race like the Percy Sykes Stakes a likely target.

“Saturday’s filly race is a lot stronger than the colts and geldings, but we have an opinion on Tu Qui Santuzza, which she did justice to at Canterbury,” he said. “She’s very progressive and we’ll learn a bit more about her over the weekend.”

Later in the day, preparation for the championships continues for Sydney Cup winners Knights Order, Riodini and Major Beel, who is on a derby path.

Knights Order, who placed in spring’s Caulfield Cup, is moving up the Sky High Stakes to 2000m where he will be better suited if he meets his Group 1 targets.

“He probably found her a little too good and sharp in weight for her age over a mile in the Chipping Norton, but he’s benefiting from that run through Saturday and he’s always been very good in the 2000m,” Bott said.

“He looks to the Tankred and the Sydney Cup where he can use his strength and stamina.”

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Riodini won The Gong in spring at number three and Bott uses a similar template for Doncaster over the Ajax Stakes.

“He was good enough to get a tick and you’ll see another improvement on Saturday as he’ll be running hard in the 1500m,” Bott said. “We have the Doncaster in mind for him and he always comes into a campaign strong.

“We’re going to test Major Beel against the older horses because it seems like the best way to get him to the Derby.

“He’s potentially a very good stayer and the further he climbs in the ride the better he gets.”

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