Waterhouse-Bott duo Converge in Town for 2024 Summer Cup at Royal Randwick

Will Townsend revert to his exciting frontrunning style? Can Converge finally snap a losing streak that stretches nearly three years? Adrian Bott says the answer is an emphatic yes … to both questions.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Townsend (red cap, sleeves) is one of the key betting fancies for Thursday's Summer Cup at Royal Randwick. Picture: Bradley Photos

Will Townsend revert to his exciting frontrunning style? Can Converge finally snap a losing streak that stretches nearly three years?

Adrian Bott, who trains both stayers in partnership with Hall of Famer Gai Waterhouse, maintains the answer to both questions is an emphatic “yes!”

Townsend and Converge are clashing in a very competitive Group 3 $250,000 Summer Cup (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.

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They met last start when Converge ran an encouraging second and Townsend a luckless third behind runaway winner Floating in the ATC Cup at Rosehill Gardens.

Townsend blew the start that day and settled at the rear of the field early – quite the contrast to his previous start when he dominated from the front and defeated Floating by more than three lengths in the Trans-Tasman Trophy at the Newcastle Hunter meeting.

Townsend and @rachelk11 pinch it! They weren't for catching in Race 6 at Newcastle. @GaiWaterhouse1@newcastleraces_pic.twitter.com/1O6ZPpodA4

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 16, 2024

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Bott said Townsend had been back to the barrier trials since and is confident the four-year-old will jump on terms with the Summer Cup field, giving jockey Rachel King the option to position the four-year-old where he is comfortable early in the race.

“I’m not sure what happened at Rosehill but Townsend missed the start by a few lengths,’’ Bott said.

“It was the complete opposite to his usual racing pattern but he still ran very well and it was good to see he has that versatility if necessary.

“But we took him to Hawkesbury to barrier trial between runs and it was a nice effort (second over 1000m). He travelled great and was excellent through the line.’’

🎈 Floating is too good for them in the Listed ATC Cup, and stakes win number 1 for @MollyBourke7! @mcsmithracing | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/Fka39qAUFe

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 30, 2024

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TAB Fixed Odds price assessors have Townsend as the pick of the Waterhouse-Bott runners with the stayer on the second line of Summer Cup betting at $4.40 behind the Kris Lees-trained Tavi Time at $3.60. Floating is at $8 and Converge rated a $10 chance.

Townsend or Converge can give Waterhouse a record sixth Summer Cup win – but her first with Bott.

Waterhouse has won the Summer Cup previously with Aqua D’Amore (2005), Stoway (2002), Zanetta (1999), Linesman (1997) and Century Boy (1996).

Converge is one of the two Group 1 winners in the Summer Cup field – and both won a Randwick Guineas.

Lion’s Roar, trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, won the Randwick Guineas in 2021 and will be having his final race start when he attempts to go back-to-back in the Summer Cup on Thursday.

Converge defeated champion Anamoe in the 2022 Randwick Guineas but, remarkably, has not won again.

Converge and @clarkyhk were simply superb🙌@GaiWaterhouse1 adds another Group 1 to her tally, 30 years to the day since she saddled up her first runner! pic.twitter.com/IEm2ZsyDs9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 5, 2022

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There has been some glimpses of form since including two minor placings at Group 1 level but overall the son of English superhorse Frankel has been disappointing.

There were encouraging signs last start, however, when Converge endured a wide run but still ran on well to finish second in Floating’s ATC Cup.

“I thought Converge ran really well on a soft track last start and he will appreciate getting back into a good track on Thursday,’’ Bott said.

“He will be better for having had the run the 2000m last start, too. The tempo seems to help him out now he is an older horse.

“His Rosehill run was very good because he covered a bit of extra ground but still stuck on well. We feel he can be in the mix again.’’

Originally published as Waterhouse-Bott duo Converge in Town for 2024 Summer Cup at Royal Randwick