Change of Format suits 2025 VRC St Leger hope

Format is set to contest Friday’s $200,000 VRC St Leger at Flemington after missing a planned run in the ATC Australian Derby (2400m) earlier this month. While the route wasn’t as expected, co-trainer Adrian Bott is upbeat about the colt’s prospects.

The three-year-old was unplaced in the Tulloch Stakes on April 1, then scratched from the Derby as the third emergency. Instead, he’s been kept fresh and prepped specifically for the St Leger over 2800 metres.

“He went round in the market in the Tulloch, but he was disappointing that day,” Bott said.

“We were still willing to back him up in the Derby, but that didn’t eventuate, and the plan was to potentially always take him down for the St Leger anyway.

“Whether missing the Derby was a good thing in hindsight (we’ll find out).”

Following the missed opportunity, Format shifted to the stable’s Melbourne base and impressed in a Werribee jumpout last Thursday, defeating Lady In Pink in a sharp 1100m hit-out.

Format is a son of Frankel and out of the Group 1-winning mare Nechita, who took out the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in 2012. Her progeny includes Harpo Marx, a The Metropolitan placegetter, along with European stakes performers Artistic Star and Forebearance.

“He should appreciate the trip,” Bott said.

Waterhouse, with Bott, has won the St Leger three times in recent years, and five times in total. Format will aim to extend that record from barrier eight with Ben Melham aboard.