Bott looking on Brightside ahead of Royal Patronage’s return in the 7 Stakes

Adrian Bott is banking on Royal Patronage to follow the lead of Mr Brightside, who has bounced back strongly this spring after an underwhelming Hong Kong campaign.

The pair clashed in April’s Champions Mile (1600m), where both struggled. Since then, Mr Brightside has returned in terrific form, finishing runner-up in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) before storming home to claim the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

Bott is hopeful Royal Patronage can make a similar statement first-up at Randwick this weekend.

“Things didn’t work out for him in Hong Kong but he’s had a good break off the back of that,” Bott said.

“He is first-up here and Mr Brightside has shown you can bounce back off those international preps.

“He seems in good shape and he is coming up well.”

Royal Patronage is nominated for both the 7 Stakes (1600m) and Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m), but Bott said the gelding will head to the 7 Stakes given his wide draw and heavy impost in the shorter event.

Bott acknowledged it will be a new challenge to kick off over a mile, but the gelding has already proven himself effective at 1600 metres, including his second in the Doncaster Mile (1600m).

“The mile first-up is new territory for him,” Bott said.

“He’s a horse that performs really well first-up and does well fresh but that’s been over 1400 and 1300.

“The mile seems to be his ideal distance though, so I think he can be effective in that regard and he’s had a good grounding to get here.”

The 7 Stakes has drawn a field of 11 including Fangirl, Ceolwulf, and Ciaron Maher’s Light Infantry Man and Gringotts.

Royal Patronage’s ultimate target is the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Everest day.

Punters keen on Royal Patronage in the 7 Stakes can find odds and offers through Australia’s leading betting sites.