After going down by the barest of margins in the previous, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have gone one better in the Breeders' Plate, with Espionage (+700) getting the better of the stablemate Straight Charge (+380) in another close photo at Randwick.
The race favourite with online bookmakers, Scampi (+190), led the field up to the home turn, but as soon as the whips began to crack, the Waterhouse & Bott runners claimed the leaders within a few strides.
With 200m to go, Blake Shinn and Regan Bayliss settled down to fight out the finish, with Shinn getting the upper hand in the final strides to claim the Group 3 contest in a tight photo.
Rounding out the Waterhouse & Bott trifecta was the fast-finishing Prost (+1800), who burst through a gap late to charge at his stablemates in the final 50m.
2023 Breeders' Plate Replay – Espionage | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Blake Shinn
Representing the Waterhouse & Bott stable, Adrian Bott spoke post-race about the performance of their three runners.
“Just trying to dissect it all. Obviously saw the two stablemates clear out there and have a great battle,” Bott said.
“It's an important race for these potential stallions going forward and each of those first three across the line are all big players in that department.
“They've all got significant upside to them.
“He's an expensive horse ($1 million yearling), he's been beautiful from the outset.
“He's done a great job, well deserved victory.”
Blake Shinn brought up a riding treble at Moonee Valley last night and he has taken three races to get on the board at Randwick.
“It was a tough effort,” Shinn said of the winner.
“Forked out a bit of money for him but I can see why. He's got a great demeanour and for a two-year-old you think you're riding an old stager.
“He got into a nice position, had to come out a little early but I was travelling so well.
“He just didn't know how to put that second horse away, but it felt like he's got more upside and he's a promising horse.”
Espionage is now a (+2000) equal favourite in the Golden Slipper futures market with online betting sites.