The Caulfield Guineas is next on the agenda for Press Statement after winning the Group 2 $200,000 Dyldam Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill today with ridiculous ease.
Press Statement scored a painless win in the Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Winning rider Hugh Bowman described Press Statement’s win as ‘painless’ as the Chris Waller trained colt strode away to record a comfortable three lengths wins over Shards ($9) and the early leader Rageese ($6) a further one and a quarter lengths away in third spot.
Bowman let Press Statement ($1.30 favourite) settle in fourth position in the six horse field while Tommy Berry set a solid tempo up front on Rageese.
Coming to the home turn Bowman started to make his move out wide on the favourite and gave Press Statement a clear run to the line with minimum urging from the leading jockey.
“A little bit of tactical rivalry going on early in the race but I was not going to have any of that,’ Bowman said.
“I was just worried about getting my horse into his rhythm.”
“I am very impressed with what I have felt this afternoon.”
“He feels like a Group 1 horse to me. I am looking forward to a tough mile, I think he will really enjoy it.”
Waller was glad to see Press Statement back in winning mode as he prepares to head to Melbourne for the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10.
The Hinchinbrook colt was caught up in a traffic jam at his last start when fifth to Exosphere in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago with Tye Angland, but Waller said he would take the blame for that defeat even though Bowman replaced Angland today.
“It was good to see. Things panned out today, obviously the small field helped, he just got into a nice rhythm,” Waller said.
“That just didn’t happen last start and I will take the blame for his getting beat last start.”
“I am not blaming Tye. He will get back on the horse again.”
“Just going forward I just needed a bit of a different guide of where he is at because I was confused after his last start.””
“Hughie has done a good job today but Tye will get back on, don’t worry about that.”
Waller has already mentioned running Press Statement in the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) on October 24 and a win in the Caulfield Guineas will see the three year old take his place in the weight for age championship at Moonee Valley.
