Most horses are for sale at the right price, but the Clinton Mcdonald-trained Rosberg has a ‘Not For Sale’ sign hanging around his neck.
McDonald has sold a number of promising three-year-olds over the years to Hong Kong but has said Rosberg is off limits.
Such is the opinion of Rosberg that McDonald has, the colt will make his debut in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
McDonald is planning to take Rosberg to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, regarded as a stallion making race, at his third race start.
“It’s a big ask but we think he’s a horse that is up to it,” McDonald said.
“We want to head towards the Coolmore with him, third up, so he’s got to put his hand up on Saturday.”
Rosberg was taken to Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning for a gallop and to get accustomed to the surrounds of The Valley.
McDonald liked what he saw from the three-year-old son of Deep Field who was ridden by Ben Melham, but with the jockey out suspended, Jamie Melham will take the ride on Saturday.
“His work at Moonee Valley on Tuesday was very good,” McDonald said.
“He’s a clean-winded horse and we think he’s a proper colt, so we’ll find out on Saturday.
“He’s 16.3 (hands) and 575 kilos, so he’s a big boy, and he’s just taken that time.
“We haven’t been rushed, and we’ve let him tell us when he’s ready, but it’s time to pull the band-aid off and see what we’ve got.”
McDonald is not shy in putting his dollars on and Rosberg who has already attracted attention in early betting on Saturday’s race, firming from $6 into $5.
“We’re going there to win. We think he’s good enough to win first-up,” McDonald said.
“He’s had a good preparation, he’s fit, he knows what it’s about.
“He’s a relaxed dude and should be fine.”
