A few fist pumps and a victory salute from Gerald Ryan revealed that Peltzer’s Bondi Stakes win meant something special to the Rosehill trainer.
When the three-year-old surged over the final 200m of the $1 million race and kicked away from the field, Ryan likewise broke clear from a group of spectators to cheer his colt home.
Many had doubted whether Peltzer could run a strong 1600 metres but he put those misgivings to bed with an arrogant victory at Randwick on Saturday.
For Ryan, the performance vindicated his faith in the three-year-old, who he earmarked as a future star after his first jump out at Rosehill a year ago.
Ryan has a designated spot at Rosehill where he clocks his horses and only a select few have made him check his stopwatch.
“I’ve only had four horses break 30 (seconds),” Ryan said.
“The first was Snitzel, the second was Snitzerland, the next was Rubick and then this horse.”
Snitzel and Snitzerland both went on to win Group One races, while Rubick claimed a Group Two before he retired to stud and produced 2019 The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes.
“That’s why I’ve always had a huge opinion of this horse,” Ryan said.
Peltzer was not far off some of the country’s fastest three-year-olds early in the spring and finished fifth in the Golden Rose.
However, Ryan felt he had more to offer so he upped the colt’s workload and Peltzer responded by winning the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) and Saturday’s Bondi Stakes (1600m) to earn himself a well-deserved spell.
The trainer is now eyeing the autumn with confidence and says the All Aged Stakes and Stradbroke Handicap are among a plethora of options.
“He is so adaptable. He is good on firm, he is better on the wet,” Ryan said.
“He’s just a good colt. It just didn’t work in the Golden Rose but there is plenty of money around in races just off the top.
“I reckon next year as a three-year-old, races like the Stradbroke are right up his alley.
“Not many horses win five out of eight. Not many horses win four out of four at Randwick.”
Rated superbly by Tim Clark, Peltzer ($2.80 fav) took up the running and just as Prime Star loomed as a threat, the winner found another gear.
He scored by 2-3/4 over Prime Star ($4) with Real Peace ($26) grabbing third a head away.
Clark said Peltzer enjoyed the soft conditions and had all the hallmarks of a promising horse.
“He’s got a really nice attitude, he doesn’t worry about things and he’s a beautifully-natured horse to ride,” Clark said.
“In the autumn where generally we do get wet tracks, I’m sure he will be able to measure up to some better races.”
