Chris Waller has a typically strong Group 1 representation in the Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill with five starters in the stallion-making contest.
Despite Guest House ($2.35f) appearing tough to beat, Waller saddles second fancy St Gotthard ($4.20), a three-start tyro who closed encouragingly in the Run To The Rose (1200m) at fortnight ago.
“Very good horse. James was rapt with his work on Tuesday morning,” Waller said.
“He’s come through that gallop well. His first-up run was terrific. He’s a very lightly raced horse, he’s still on the up and he’s got the x-factor.”
The son of Snitzel ran second in that race two weeks ago behind Warwoven ($6), the only remaining runner at single-digit odds.
Waller also prepares Tron Bolt ($13), a son of Toronado who the master trainer says reminds him of his 2018 winner The Autumn Sun.
“Exciting horse. He’s got all the attributes of The Autumn Sun,” he said.
“He hasn’t got the points on the board yet, but he won the JJ Atkins. His first-up run was a ripper, and 1400m will suit.
“I’m not worried about the draw (11), bit of galloping room. As long as it’s a genuine speed, I think he’ll be storming home.”
Central Europe ($23) is drawn even worse in barrier 13 and has yet to win in four career starts despite earning more than $100,000 in prizemoney.
“Tricky gate. He’s an exciting horse, son of Frankel,” Waller said.
“I really like this horse. He’s underrated.
“Very good (working on Tuesday). He’s ready to rock and roll. It’s just whether he gets in from that gate.”
Campione D’Italia ($26) is already a Group 1 victor having taken the Sires’ Produce (1400m) in early April.
However, he was defeated five lengths and beat only one runner home first-up last month.
“He was plain first-up. We can’t find anything wrong with him,” Waller said.
“I think just let him do his thing and storm home. He was very unlucky not to win a Golden Slipper, and he did win the Sires’ Produce.
“He’s a good horse. He can bounce back.”
Stormy Marco ($31), who wears the same colours as Tron Bolt, may now be looking for 2000m.
“Tron Bolt beat him home in the JJ Atkins and they’ve drawn similar barriers here. Can he beat Tron Bolt? Probably not, but he could go on to win a Spring Champion Stakes,” Waller said.
The top trainer even said the 2500m Victoria Derby would be an option.
“It’s gone up to $3 million. Massive,” Waller said. “It’s hard to resist those big races, and I think it’s important the breeding industry get behind these big prizemoney races and say, hey, we need to promote the staying stallions and breed these stayers. And there’s four Derbies in Australia, four Oaks. Massive money. And the overseas horses can’t really compete, can they?”
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails