Sebring colt Gold Standard could find himself a spot in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 23 with another eye catching run in the Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Josh Parr, above, rides Gold Standard in the Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Josh Parr, above, rides Gold Standard in the Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Gold Standard is well in the market at $4.40 at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group 2 $200,000 Kari Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) following his brave last start second to Dracarys in the Group 3 $150,000 Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on August 19.

Gold Standard didn’t help his chances when slow to leave the barriers in the Up And Coming Stakes and had to settle midfield but he didn’t shirk his task in the straight to only be beaten a head by Dracarys.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott is hoping for a clean getaway this week and can see the 1500m of the Stan Fox Stakes suiting Gold Standard.

“It was a very good run and that of a horse that is improving,’’ Bott told Racing New South Wales News.

“Unfortunately he was a little slow to begin but he was able to settle in a good position. I love the turn of foot that he showed and I think the form out of the race will stand up.’’

“The most important factor for him is he will appreciate stepping up to 1500m.’’

“The Golden Rose is firmly in our minds. A top placing in the Stan Fox would see him able to stamp himself as a genuine contender because in our eyes he is.’’

Gold Standard has only been to the races on three occasions and prior to running second in the Up And Coming Stakes finished runner up on debut in an 1100m Warwick Farm two year old Plate on July 19 before scoring his maiden win over 1250m at Canterbury on August 9.

Josh Parr takes over Tommy Berry on Gold Standard who will jump from barrier two in the Stan Fox Stakes field that has been reduced to seven runners following the early scratching of Lindsay Park trained Eshtiraak who is engaged to run in the Three Year Old Handicap (1509m) at The Valley on Saturday.

The Bjorn Baker trained Addictive Nature heads the betting for the Stan Fox Sakes at Ladbrokes.com.au at $2.70 ahead of Gerald Ryan’s Trapeze Artist at $4 and Gold Standard at $4.40.

Gold Standard is listed at $26 for the Golden Rose at Ladbrokes.com.au.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.