Star colt Press Statement was back to his brilliant best at Rosehill on Saturday when racing away for a commanding victory in the Group II ATC Stan Fox Stakes.
A Group I winner of the BRC JJ Atkins Classic during the Brisbane Winter Carnival, the Chris Waller trained Press Statement had chased Exosphere home at his first two runs back from a spell, most recently when a desperately unlucky fifth in the Group One Golden Rose.
With Hugh Bowman aboard and a small field of six, Press Statement found his mojo in this 1500 metre assignment, settling back in the field and powering to the line to win by three lengths in an utterly dominant display.
Asked to sum up the race in a word, Hugh Bowman did not deliberate for long.
“Painless!” Bowman said.
“I was very impressed with what I felt today. He feels like a Group I horse to me.”
Chris Waller was delighted to have the star colt back on track and bookmakers reacted immediately to make him a short priced favourite for the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas on October 10.
“We go to Melbourne now with a bit of confidence,” Waller said.
“He’s done plenty of work left handed and he’s a very adaptable horse.
“I’m sure he’s done enough to represent NSW very well in the Caulfield Guineas.”
Bred by Waller stable client Tony Muollo, who also bred and raced Group I winner Hawkspur, Press Statement was sold at the end of his two year-old season as a stallion prospect and now runs for a syndicate that includes Vinery Stud and China Horse Club, in whose colours he runs.
With four wins and a second from six starts, Press Statement has already won over $660,000 in prizemoney and is a half-brother to Group I winner Pressday, who was also trained by Chris Waller.
He is the fourth winner for Kaaptive Empress, a half-sister to the dam of Group I winner The Mighty Lions, the dam of Group III winner Vaquera.
Kaptive Empress has already foaled this spring producing another filly by Press Statement’s sire Hinchinbrook.
