SHANGRI LA BOY PUT TO TEST IN SPRING CHAMPION

Trainer Freedman says Randwick Gl event’s 2,000m trip will tilt in San Giovanni's favour

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Shangri La Boy made his debut only on Sept 17, but co-trainer Adrian Bott is confident the well-related colt can end the week as a Group 1 winner.

The three-year-old son of Pierro will have his fourth career start in the A$2 million (S$L68 million) Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on Oct 25.

The 2,000m event will be run just 38 days after his debut, where he finished third behind the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Snitzel Dancer in a 1,250m three-year-old maiden race at Canterbury.

A fortnight later on Oct 1, the talented colt won a 1,400m Maiden Plate at Rosehill Gardens, before an all-the way win in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1,800m), which secured his Spring Champion start.

Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, recognised it had been a rapid rise for the two-time winner, but is delighted with the way he is holding it together.

“He was excellent there last start in the Gloaming. He was up in grade relatively quickly and up in trip, but it seemed like a dominant performance,” said Bott.

“He's come out of that in excellent shape. There’s still further improvement in him and, he’ll continue to appreciate the 2,000 metres. He seems in terrific order.”