Duo off the mark for Waterhouse and Bott

A pair of promising three-year-olds have broken their maidens for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with convincing victories on the Kensington track at Randwick.

Slowly maturing gelding Foreign Territory gave the training partnership the ideal start to Monday’s meeting with a commanding performance at his second start in the Casino Prince@Vinery Handicap (1400m).

Wide Spread Panic then made an impressive debut for a comfortable win in the Book Spring Hospitality Now Handicap (1400m).

Foreign Territory hung out on debut over 1100m at Gosford last month, but made amends with a front-running win by three lengths.

Bott said the $2.25 favourite appreciated the step up in trip and would improve again over longer distances.

The Bald Eagle ($6) led the chasers and finished 2-1/4 lengths clear of Time Of Glory ($9).

Foreign Territory has finally developed into the horse Waterhouse and Bott anticipated.

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“It’s only in the last six months he’s started to furnish,” Bott said.

“It’s almost as if one day it really just clicked and he went on an upward spiral very quickly.”

Wide Spread Panic will also continue to work through her grades and get over further during winter after breaking through at her fourth start.

Sent out the $2.10 favourite, Wide Spread Panic was never threatened before hitting the line 2-1/4 lengths clear of stablemate Superior Choice ($21). Stage Pass ($5.50) was a short head third.

“There was no panic there. She travelled really well. It was a bit like a track work gallop,” jockey James McDonald said.

Waterhouse and Bott ended the day with four winners after gelding Penske claimed the Half Yearly Membership Handicap (1550m) and unbeaten mare Alassio extended her winning sequence to three in the ATC Owner Benefits Card Handicap (1100m).

“It’s been a successful day for the stable and this (Alassio) is a really promising mare for us going forward,” Bott said.