Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have had a long-range goal in place for Schwarz to win a Group 1 race and stamp his potential future as a sire.
Right from the start of Schwarz’s four-year-old season, the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) has been the target contest for the son of Zoustar.
A planned light spring in which Schwarz had only two starts has been followed by meticulous planning to have the entire in peak condition for the Group 1 contest at Caulfield on Saturday.
“I always wanted to get to the Orr,” O’Shea said.
“Everything we were doing in the spring was about running in the Orr in the autumn.
“He was only ever having a very light spring.”
Schwartz won the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in August and at his only other outing for the spring was comfortably held down the Flemington straight on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The entire returned with a dominant display in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 24, leading throughout with Blake Shinn aboard who will again have the ride on Saturday.
O’Shea said Schwarz came through that victory in great order.
“He did a bit of pacework Thursday morning, and his rider was happy with him,” O’Shea said.
“So, it’s on to the Orr with Blake Shinn in the saddle.”
Schwarz has yet to race at Caulfield in his 10 career starts, that has netted five wins, but O’Shea and Charlton are planning on a trip to Caulfield on Tuesday for a familiarisation gallop with regular trackwork rider Ellie in the saddle.
“He has stayed down there since his win at The Valley, so we will get him over and have a look at Caulfield on Tuesday,” O’Shea said.
“He is a bit of a trick to ride, but she seems to get on well with him.
“He’s her second boyfriend.”
