The Waterhouse Bott-conditioned Shangri La Boy has led them a merry dance in the Gloaming Stakes
He is the half-brother to former boom two-year-old Storm Boy but Shangri La Boy ($4.60) is making a name for himself after taking out the $500,000 Group 3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill Gardens for the training team of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
The son of Pierro led from pillar to post over the 1800m contest gapping longshot The Pearls ($61) by two lengths with San Giovanni ($20) a further long neck back in third place.
The $2 million Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes to held at Royal Randwick in a fortnight's time will be his next target, which could prove to be a valuable exercise given he is such a well-bred colt.
"He's obviously got some great true staying capabilities there," co-trainer Adrian Bott said.
"Storm Boy (is) a great sprinter but this horse in his own right (is) a very good stayer because he's up to this grade very quickly in his career.
"This is his first preparation, just his third start, so to get quickly up to the 1800m and do that in such dominant fashion, it's certainly encouraging."
Despite his breeding, Bott had his charger earmarked for staying tests from very early on.
"In fairness he's always looked that way right from the outset," Bott said.
"Obviously being by Pierro you always thought he might be more of a classics style, but physically and the way he always presented right from the yearling stage."
When quizzed if he would now head to the Group 1 feature in 14 days time, Bott conceded the horse may have already made his mind up for him.
"I think we have to, the manner in which he won that," Bott said.
"It was a good test because it was 1400m up to 1800m on a relatively quick turnaround from the Wednesday meeting here 10 days ago."
The three-year-old was given a peach of a ride by hoop Adam Hyeronimus, who has been on the colt for all five trials and three race starts to date.
The jockey affectionately known as Hippo was impressed with the progression his mount has made.
"He finds that rhythm straight away. He's good from the gates but he's so relaxed after 100m and he was beautiful throughout the race," Hyeronimus said.
"He's got a sharp turn of foot too."
Shangri La Boy currently sits on the equal second line of betting for the Spring Champion Stakes at the $6 quote behind futures favourite Attica at $3.50.
