Omei Sword has rocketed to the top of the Golden Rose market alongside Astern with trainer Chris Waller deciding to take up the challenge to run the filly in the Group One race.
The winner of the Silver Shadow Stakes last Saturday week, Omei Sword has been the subject of much deliberation by the stable with Waller announcing on Monday she would take on her male counterparts in Saturday’s $1 million feature.
The other option was to wait a week and run in the Group Two Tea Rose Stakes, also over 1400 metres, against the fillies on her way to the Flight Stakes on October 1.
Waller will also run former Queensland colt Nikitas in the Golden Rose at Rosehill.
“Our stable intends to have two runners in the Golden Rose, the first being Omei Sword who has done well since her first up run,” Waller said.
“And whilst taking on the boys, I feel that she is strong enough and has the ability to be competitive in this race.
“Nikitas will be our other runner. This colt has taken good benefit from his unlucky first-up run.”
Omei Sword and Godolphin colt Astern are at $3.50 ahead of Tuesday’s declaration of the final field.
Divine Prophet is the only other runner under double figures at $4.60 with Derryn and Yankee Rose at $11.
The ATC Sires’ Produce winner, Yankee Rose has also been under scrutiny with trainer David Vandyke finally giving her the all-clear to run after a pleasing raceday gallop at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Yankee Rose will be ridden by Hong Kong-based Australian Zac Purton who rode her to her Group One win in the autumn.
There has been speculation Joao Moreira would also make the trip from Hong Kong to ride Omei Sword but Waller said he would confirm his Golden Rose jockeys on Tuesday morning.
