Improving colt Gold Standard has earned himself a spot in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) with his convincing win in the Group 2 $200,000 Kari Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill today.
Ming Dynasty Stakes winner Addictive Nature, above, finished third in the Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bottt will now freshen up Gold Standard for the 1400m of the Golden Rose which is run in a fortnight at Rosehill.
“He was really impressive today, he is a special colt for us going forward,” Bott said.
“Last start he was a little bit slow to begin and it was a huge effort considering and today he was able to break clean.”
“He has got some early speed to be able to put himself in the race.”
“Full credit to Josh, he took control of the race and was able to run it to suit.”
Winning jockey Josh Parr had Gold Standard out of the barriers quickly and after landing in front, relinquished the lead to The Mission mid race.
Parr gave Gold Standard ($4.60) clear running in the straight and he was able to hold off the challenge of the fast finishing Sanctions ($11) with the $2.10 favourite Addictive Nature holding on for third spot.
