Trainer Adrian Bott believes improving import Royal Patronage can make it back-to-back Group 1s in George Ryder Stakes

Adrian Bott says there was no fluke about the first-up win of Royal Patronage and is confident of a repeat in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes.

Trainer Adrian Bott is bullish about Royal Patronage’s chances of replicating his sensational autumn return in Saturday’s Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Royal Patronage confirmed himself as a genuine weight-for-age talent with a maiden Group 1 when taking out his maiden major in the Canterbury Stakes at Royal Randwick.

“He had to go to a new level on his first-up performance this time in from his first-up performance last preparation so I think that’s a pretty good indication of how well he has come back and the level improvement he has taken,” Bott, who trains with Gai Waterhouse, said.

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“That wasn’t any fluke and he is a genuine weight-for-age performer, who is ready to back that up again Saturday.”

The George Ryder Stakes field will have an added dimension with the All-Star Mile winner Tom Kitten ($6.50), Verry Elleegant Stakes runner-up Fangirl ($2.90 favourite) and Group 3 Liverpool City Cup placegetter Gringotts ($10) bringing different form lines into the race.

Royal Patronage ($4.40) also meets a number of his Canterbury Stakes rivals again with jockey Tim Clark set to go in search of back-to-back Group 1s on the son of Wootton Bassett.

“He’s in excellent order and looks to keep improving,” Bott said.

“I would have thought he is better suited by the 1500m here.

“He has had experience at the track and raced well here previously.

Royal Patronage WINS the G1 Canterbury Stakes in a really tough win! 🏆@GaiWaterhouse1pic.twitter.com/Dsi07LyLOH

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“If he can do everything right and executed it like he did first-up, he is going to put himself in there and be hard to beat again.”

A date with the Doncaster Mile where Royal Patronage has 54.5kg is the main target for Waterhouse and Bott this autumn.

But Tulloch Lodge intend to keep their options open for further tests at Royal Randwick and abroad.

Royal Patronage has been entered for Hong Kong’s Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) and Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.

“It’s still Doncaster the plan and we’ve thrown in a nomination for Hong Kong afterwards so his next two performances will dictate whether he is up to heading over there and if it fits in well with the program,” Bott said.

“Nothing has been decided past the Doncaster. Whether he has gone ahead enough to step up to a Queen Elizabeth, there are all options that are open.”

Originally published as Trainer Adrian Bott believes improving import Royal Patronage can make it back-to-back Group 1s in George Ryder Stakes