Unbeaten Hinchinbook colt Press Statement tasted defeat for the first time in the Group II ATC Run to the Rose Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday, but there was plenty of merit to take from the run. The Chris Waller trained colt was having his first run since winning the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes over 1600 metres back in June and was burdened with 60 kgs for the 1200 metre sprint. He loomed into the race strongly for Tye Angland and found the line well, only to be overshadowed by the Godolphin owned Lonhro colt Exosphere in going down by a little over a length. Both colts are top class and are headed for further success this spring with Tye Angland super positive about Press Statement going forward. “Super run,” he said. “He did it all at the right ends. Was just a little bit flat-footed around the bend, the further we got in the race the better he got so once he steps up in distance he’s going to have a great turn of foot.” His dam Kaaptive Empress is due to foal again to Hinchinbrook this spring.
