Top sprinter In The Congo is set to head to the 3YO Arrowfield Sprint on Saturday and trainer Adrian Bott is banking on the colt’s impeccable class to rise above the rest once again at Royal Randwick.
Having previously defeated the undeniably talented Anamoe in last year's Golden Rose In The Congo is already has already cemented his position as one of the most gifted juvenile talents in the country.
Now the son of the great Snitzel is on the hunt for more scalps in the Arrowfield, taking on the likes of Paulele, Mazu, Generation and Ranch Hand under set weights conditions on day two of the championships.
“It’s a hot race but he is a class horse isn’t he,” said Bott, who trains alongside Gai Waterhouse.
“He is a Group One winner and ran an excellent race, resuming in The Galaxy finishing third carrying good weight.
“He should improve off that run, he is versatile in the conditions and the 1200m should be of benefit to him so he looks in good shape.”
In The Congo returned in the Group One Galaxy last month and returns to racing against his own age group on Saturday with a focus on getting him tuned in to the 1400m distance.
“That 1400m will be ideal for him,” Bott said.
“Then that might be it for him to only have a light campaign this time in and focus on the spring which could potentially include an Everest.
“He will be certainly more seasoned for it (The Everest) by then and we certainly had the temptation to (go to the Everest) last year on the back of his Golden Rose win, but it would have been too soon, which ultimately showed when he went down for the Coolmore.
“Twelve months later it’s probably ideal.”
In The Congo is on the fourth line of betting at $8 for the All Aged Stakes while the colt is a $26 chance in The Everest betting.