Brilliant colt Press Statement, the unbeaten Group I winning son of Hinchinbrook, took his first step towards the spring with a barrier trial at Rosehill on Tuesday morning. The trial was Press Statement’s first appearance for the Chris Waller stable since triumphing in the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes over 1600 metres back in June. Press Statement jumped well and settled in the box seat, allowing the Hawkes Racing-trained Headwater and Gerald Ryan’s unraced colt Deploy to take up the running. In the straight, Tye Angland peeled Press Statement out into clear running, spotting the leaders about three lengths. He travelled on the bridle and cut the margin back to a length and three-quarters while the leaders were punched out to the line running 53.50 seconds on a soft (6) surface, the second quickest 900 metre heat of the morning. Though only given a short winter let-up, Press Statement has returned a stronger and more furnished horse according to Angland. “He went super, He looked bigger and stronger, he’s a very well-mannered colt and will do whatever you want him to do,” Angland told Racenet. “He jumped well put himself just in behind the leaders and his last 200 (metres), he really started to quicken up and make ground so I was very impressed. “He’ll improve off that and I think he’ll have a really good three-year-old season. “He’s on the way up, he’s an untapped horse that was thrown in the deep end in the JJ Atkins and won. The reports are that he’s eating really well and once we get him to the races you’re going to see a nice horse.” Press Statement is expected have another trial before resuming in the Group II Run To The Rose (1200m) on August 29. His primary spring target will be the $1 million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) on September 12 followed by a potential trip to Melbourne for either the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) or Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
