Tyler Schiller has labelled Rotagilla a “progressive horse” after the gelding adapted to a change of tactics to post a powerful win in the Anzac Day Cup at Randwick.
Schiller had anticipated being positive on the four-year-old, but when he jumped awkwardly, the jockey pivoted to Plan B and rode him conservatively, Rotagilla responding by unleashing a strong finish down the outside to take out the 1800m event convincingly.
“It obviously wasn’t the plan to be so neutral and negative on him, but they jumped quick around us and I thought, on a turn if we’re pushing we’re going to be using a lot of energy,” Schiller said.
“He’s come through and won like a really nice horse late. The tempo helped him.
“He’s a progressive horse.”
Rotagilla has now won six of his 17 starts and trainer Chris Waller’s assistant, Charlie Duckworth, said the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on May 9 was a possible next target.
“He is tough and consistent,” Duckworth said.
“We thought he was more one-paced, but he seems to have that turn of foot and a willingness to win. We’ve just got to work out exactly where he measures up and what his distance range is, how far he can stay, and that will tell us the answers hopefully.”
Rotagilla ($8) had a half-length to spare over stablemate Sir Dinadan ($12) with Polymnia ($4.40) running her usual honest race another short neck away.
Annabel and Rob Archibald pulled the right rein with Hellsing, opting to scratch him from Friday’s Tamworth Cup (1400m), which the stable claimed with Formal Display, in preference for Saturday’s First Australian Imperial Force Handicap (1500m).
In a three-way finish, Hellsing got the better of Encap over the final 50m to post his second Australian win, with the victor’s stablemate, Cristal Clear, close up in third.
“I am delighted for Hellsing. He has been knocking on the door,” Annabel Archibald said.
“He’s had three seconds, two here and in the Muswellbrook Cup, and just the ground and maybe the class in the Doncaster (Mile) found him out.
“Back in grade, 1500 metres here I think is his sweet spot, and it was a nice ride by Tom Sherry as well.”
The Archibalds’ saddled up four horses in the race with their other runners, Depth Of Character and Port Lockroy, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Annabel Archibald indicated Hellsing and Cristal Clear were both likely to head towards next month’s Scone Cup (1600m), which carries eligibility for the Big Dance on Melbourne Cup Day.
