Master two-year-old trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott believe they may have an extraordinary colt on their hands which will step out in Saturday's Victory Vein Plate at Randwick.
The Waterhouse and Bott stable are renowned for producing top-line two-year-olds and the stable firmly believes that their Breeders' Plate place-getter Santos has a big future ahead of him.
"Santos was brilliant in the Breeders' Plate," Bott said.
"He is a really nice two-year-old and I think a really special colt for us going forward."
The son of I Am Invincible drew barrier nine in the field of 11 on debut and was caught three-wide without cover but impressed the stable with the way he was still able to attack the line.
What a Performer!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) 30 September 2017
The Chris Waller trained colt produces the goods on debut to win the listed Breeders' Plate at #Randwick. pic.twitter.com/asoeQ4nIsw
Santos battles on strongly in the Breeders' Plate
"What he did on debut was just on all on raw natural ability," Bott said.
"You saw he was just a little bit new to it all and from a wide draw he got stuck three-wide.
"He got a little bit lost out there without the rail and once they straightened up it looked like he was going to drop out but he came again.
"Another horse loomed up and he was little unsure of himself but then came again."
Bott believes that the debut performance has really brought on Santos on, both mentally and physically.
"We think that run has really switched him on and we have seen that in his work," he said.
"He knows what it's about now.
"We were confident with the colt going into the race, even though we went around at $20/1, we were confident of a top three finish so it was pleasing to see him come out and show what we have been seeing at home but I think he has really gone ahead from that run.
"If he can come out and show that improvement he'll show he's a really nice colt."
