Jockey Dylan Gibbons is of the firm belief that if Under Focus executes a clean start in the upcoming Golden Rose, the colt possesses the capability to contend for a top finish.

The three-year-old encountered difficulties at the beginning of the Run To The Rose (1200m), but displayed commendable closing speed to secure third place behind Warwoven and St Gotthard.

Prior to that performance, he registered a midfield finish from an outside barrier in the Rosebud (1100m). With a favourable inside draw on Saturday, Gibbons considers him a strong contender.

“First-up the draw cost him but he ran well,” Gibbons said.

“The other day he just sat down as the gates opened, but he was probably going to end up in that spot no matter what.

“When they backed the speed off, it was going to be hard to win, but I thought the fact he was able to go past a horse like Central Europe and make up two lengths on St Gotthard, that’s probably as good as he could have done from that position.

“(From that) alley, if he can jump a bit better and execute, there’s no reason why he can’t be in the top three.”

Currently listed at $11, Under Focus has favourite Guest House drawn immediately to his outside, and Gibbons acknowledges the latter as the horse to beat.

However, the Golden Slipper victor’s slightly unconventional preparation, arriving at this race directly off a first-up win in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m), and the fact that he, like Under Focus, has not yet been tested over 1400m, provides Gibbons with reasons to hope for a minor vulnerability.

“He’s had to take an untraditional route, so he’s a keen horse going second-up into a 1400,” Gibbons noted.

“He’s obviously the one to beat, but there are a few little things there that aren’t ideal for him.

“If that gets him a bit fired up, or the tempo’s not strong enough for him, it might just ruffle his feathers a little bit.

“But he has put the writing on the wall first-up, so he’ll get the respect he deserves.

“With my bloke, he’s been racing against the other ones, and I feel he’s on terms with them.”

Under Focus is prepared by Gibbons’ former mentor, Kris Lees, with both chasing their maiden triumph in this significant stallion-making event.

The pair have already collaborated for a top-level success with Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes (2400m), and Lees is confident about Under Focus’s preparation.

“We’ve been really happy with his two return runs. Obviously, just stepping a little slow in the Run To The Rose was costly but he worked home well,” Lees commented.

“He’s come through it nicely. I’m really happy with where he’s at.”

Consider the Australian betting sites for the upcoming Golden Rose.

Cody Rhodes was interrupted by a long-time rival tonight on WWE SmackDown. He also gave a major spoiler amid rumors of his turning heel.

Cody Rhodes was interrupted on WWE SmackDown after he gave a spoiler

On WWE SmackDown tonight, Cody Rhodes came out and spoke about Randy Orton. The star spoke about how the Viper was putting him in an unwinnable position, where he would be the loser whether he remained a babyface or turned heel. He boasted about how he was the one who always dealt with unwinnable positions, where he’d be hated no matter what he did, like facing John Cena or being asked to sell his soul.

“What I know and what I need to do are two different things. What I need to do is address the lunatic ranting and raving to Michael Cole earlier, and that being Randy Orton. Randy Orton talking about all the changes in my career and that I’ve already been compromised. He framed it so that if I punt Randy Orton, it’s somehow a good thing and somehow a bad thing. He’s made it an unwinnable position for me. An unwinnable position. I’ve been asked by my boss in front of 40,000 people to give him my soul. I had to defeat John Cena on his retirement run. My entire first run as WWE Champion was against beloved and deeply connected with everyone one of you, WWE Superstars. I am the king of unwinnable positions.”

Cody Rhodes went on to say that, to him, it was simple. He said that he would hit Orton with the punt if the opportunity came, but then he gave a spoiler about turning heel, saying that it would not be only Orton that he attacked.

“We are going to keep this simple. We’re gonna keep this black and white. Position. The position you will be in Randy Orton is the same one where I hesitate. But this time. This time, I promise you, I am going to kick your head off your shoulders. What I can’t promise you, is you’ll be the only one.”

On top of this, after the promo, as he had just finished speaking, he was interrupted by CM Punk. The star’s music played before Rhodes had exited, as he made his way out to the ring for his qualifier match for Money in the Bank. The two long-time rivals came face to face with each other, in a moment where the tension could be felt through the screen.