Gibbons confident Under Focus can measure up in Golden Rose

Jockey Dylan Gibbons is convinced that if Under Focus manages a good start in the Golden Rose, the colt has the potential to be a significant factor in the outcome.

The three-year-old made his challenge harder when he was slow to begin in the Run To The Rose (1200m), but he finished strongly to claim third place behind Warwoven and St Gotthard.

Prior to that run, he finished in the middle of the pack from a wide barrier in the Rosebud (1100m). With a low gate on Saturday, Gibbons is of the opinion that he is a genuine contender.

"First-up the draw cost him but he ran well," Gibbons said.

"The other day he just sat down as the gates opened, but he was probably going to end up in that spot no matter what.

"When they backed the speed off, it was going to be hard to win, but I thought the fact he was able to go past a horse like Central Europe and make up two lengths on St Gotthard, that's probably as good as he could have done from that position.

"(From that) alley, if he can jump a bit better and execute, there's no reason why he can't be in the top three."

Currently an $11 chance, Under Focus will have the favourite Guest House drawn directly outside him, and Gibbons admits the latter is the benchmark.

However, the Golden Slipper winner's somewhat unconventional preparation, heading into this race off his first-up San Domenico Stakes (1100m) victory, and the fact that he, like Under Focus, has not been tested over 1400m, gives Gibbons hope of finding a slight disadvantage.

"He's had to take an untraditional route, so he's a keen horse going second-up into a 1400," Gibbons commented.

"He's obviously the one to beat, but there are a few little things there that aren't ideal for him.

"If that gets him a bit fired up, or the tempo's not strong enough for him, it might just ruffle his feathers a little bit.

"But he has put the writing on the wall first-up, so he'll get the respect he deserves.

"With my bloke, he's been racing against the other ones, and I feel he's on terms with them."

Under Focus is trained by Gibbons' former employer, Kris Lees, with both seeking their maiden victory in this significant stallion-making race.

The combination has already achieved top-level success with Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes (2400m), and Lees is satisfied with Under Focus's preparation.

"We've been really happy with his two return runs. Obviously, just stepping a little slow in the Run To The Rose was costly but he worked home well," Lees stated.

"He's come through it nicely. I'm really happy with where he's at."

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