Resonator ready to contest Winter Challenge

Racing geldings doesn’t exactly fit the brief for Newgate’s stallions syndicate, but the in-form Resonator is at least providing his high-profile connections with a lively winter sidebar.

The son of Brazen Beau was cut midway through his two-year-old season and no longer a stud prospect, he was offered for sale on Inglis’ digital platform after winning at Rosehill last month.

But when he failed to meet his reserve, Resonator was retained by his owners, who include the China Horse Club, Steve Grant’s Grant Bloodstock and Newgate.

In two starts since then, the three-year-old has banked more than $100,000 and will almost double his cache if he can win Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill for which he is rated a $4.80 second favourite.

“He’s owned by Newgate and connections, the stallions syndicate, so being a gelding, they don’t make a habit of retaining those types of horses,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said.

“But at the same time, he failed to make his reserve, so they’ve been able to reap the benefits of continuing racing him and winning some decent prizemoney.

“He’s been pretty consistent throughout the winter for us and he’s continued to progress nicely through the grades.”

Resonator hasn’t contested stakes company since his juvenile season but after lumping 60kg to victory at Rosehill two starts ago and just getting run down by Battleton under 58kg last start, he has earned a return to the black-type arena.

He drops to 54kg and with two wins from three appearances at the track, Bott is keen to see how the horse responds.

“It will be interesting to see how he can measure up in this grade,” he said.

“It’s hard to fault what he’s been doing to date, he’s got a nice racing pattern, he gets a bit of weight relief and his performances at the track and distance suggest they are the ideal conditions for him.”

Bott also confirmed Omni Man was on target to back up from his Randwick victory last weekend to tackle Saturday’s July Sprint (1100m).

The four-year-old has overcome wide gates at his past two starts over 1000m and again has a tricky draw in barrier 11 of 12, along with a 100m rise in journey.

“He’s drawn awkwardly his last couple of runs but he’s had the tactical speed to overcome that,” Bott said.

“He’s racing well and we want to capitalise on that recent form.”

The pair form part of a six-strong Rosehill team for Waterhouse and Bott who with 68 Sydney winners this season are tied for second with James Cummings on the premiership table.