NEXT UP

Adrian Bott has not ruled out Entente backing up three weeks in a row to chase a ninth Metropolitan success for co-trainer Gai Waterhouse. 

The gelding put himself in the frame for a start in the Group 1 staying feature when he proved his distance credentials with a dominant win in Saturday's Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill. 

It followed a game third behind She's Ideel and Montefilia over 1 1⁄4 m last week and Bott said he would see how Entente came through Saturday's run before weighing up a Metropolitan berth. 

"There's potential. I will obviously have a chat with Gai during the week and (owners) Peter and June Dunn and see what they'd like to achieve with the horse," Bott said. 

"There are a couple of other options further down the track that we could look at so we're in no rush just yet. We'll see how he comes through it. 

"He did it very well and showed a good turn of foot, so it opens up a few more options for him going forward." 

Entente ($4.60) made the running a week ago but with a solid tempo on Saturday, Tim Clark was content to settle him midfield. 

The gelding ranged up to the leaders in the straight and surged clear to score by 1-3/4 lengths over Young Rascal ($20), who turned in his best effort for some time, with Fun Fact ($4.60) clinging to third another 1-1/4 lengths away. 

Clark said he was confident Entente would handle the journey as the horse was at the end of his preparation when he failed at his only other attempt over a similar distance in last year's Geelong Cup. 

He likewise has no doubt Entente is tough enough to back-up again next weekend. 

"He might have to go again next week, three weeks in a row, but he'll be fine," Clark said. 

Waterhouse has won the Metropolitan eight times, most recently with Glencadam Gold in 2012.