Adrian Bott gives big push for Sydney Cup trio Serpentine, Military Mission and Major Beel

An upbeat Adrian Bott gives his verdict on the stable’s three-pronged attack in the Group 1 Sydney Cup on Saturday.

Serpentine has never been going better in Australia, Military Mission is a model of consistency and Major Beel has the perfect grounding for a $2 million Sydney Cup assault.

That’s the verdict out of Tulloch Lodge as trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott prepare to launch a three-pronged attack in Saturday’s feature two-mile at Royal Randwick.

All three stayers are live chances in the Group 1, where Waterhouse is striving for a fourth victory and second in partnership with Bott.

Serpentine ($12) is the shortest of the three chances following a perfect preparation that has seen the gelding when both starts with victories in the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m) and Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m).

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The son of Galileo, who will be ridden by Tim Clark, has finished among the last runners home in the past two Melbourne Cups but Waterhouse and Bott were encouraged to give him another crack over the two miles.

“We always had the Cup on the radar without a firm commitment early in the preparation,” Bott said.

“I feel this is the best form we’ve been able to have the horse in since we’ve had him.

“He’s been incredibly tough in his two performance to date and has had a good grounding so now is the time to test him over the two miles once again.

“I know he doesn’t have the greatest record over the trip but I think he has had genuine excuses over his previous attempts.”

Serpentine gets the chance to prove himself over two miles in the Sydney Cup. Picture: Bradley Photos

Military Mission also ran in last year’s Melbourne Cup, finishing 10th, and has been given his chance at the top level again this preparation.

The son of Mastercraftsman finished fifth in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) two starts ago before backing up a week later to finish sixth in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Military Mission is a $15 chance in the Sydney Cup with Adam Hyeronimus aboard.

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“Military Mission has been an incredibly consistent horse for us,” Bott said.

“It looks a lovely race for him and happy to test him over the two mile again.

“I thought he was very effective in the Melbourne Cup and has been racing a little bit out of his comfort zone the past couple of runs in small fields. Tactics wise he has just had to race out of position.

“With the wide draw on Saturday, he might be ridden more conservatively and more to his pattern to see out the two-mile.”

It’s been a vastly different preparation for Major Beel.

Waterhouse and Bott trialled last year’s Group 1 Australian Derby winner over the hurdles to begin this preparation before campaigning him in Melbourne.

The son of Savabeel went first-up in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) and then toughed it out on speed to finish fourth behind Mark Twain in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington.

Military Mission has been a consistent performer this prep. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Louis Beuzelin will pilot the gelding in the Group 1.

“Major Beel has come back in really good order,” Bott said.

“He has had a different campaign and lead up after a few trials over the hurdles to keep him switched on and give him a good grounding.

“He is coming up in good shape and he worked excellently at Breakfast with the Stars.

“I think he will enjoy the sting out of the ground if it remains for Saturday.”

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Waterhouse and Bott don’t have a runner in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes or the Australian Oaks but will launch a two-pronged attack in the Group 1 $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).

Dual Group 1 winner Tropical Squall ($6.50) has been saved for the fillies and mares feature after finishing fourth in the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens last month.

“Tropical Squall seems in great shape,” Bott said.

“We just elected to keep her to the mile. We were thinking about going to the 2000m of the Vinery and there an option to run in the Doncaster with a lightweight but we thought sticking to the mares at this time in her career was the right thing to do.”

Osmose comes into the Queen Of The Turf Stakes in winning form after winning the Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m) last start and drops back to the mile after scoring the black type win.

“Osmose is dropping back in trip with the blinkers back on for that and I thought she was very good first up at the mile,” Bott said.

Originally published as Adrian Bott gives big push for Sydney Cup trio Serpentine, Military Mission and Major Beel