Trainer Clinton Mcdonald’s heartbreak at watching Angel Capital land the prize in the Chautauqua Stakes at Moonee Valley was eased 35 minutes later with the debut win of Rosberg.
McDonald had prepared Angel Capital to win last year’s Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m), but after a further three starts the colt was purchased by Yulong Stud as a future stallion prospect and transferred into the care of Chris Waller.
The trainer has a huge opinion of Rosberg and bit the bullet in heading straight to Stakes company for Saturday’s Listed McKenzie Stakes and Rosberg did not let the trainer down.
Sent out the $3.40 favourite under Jamie Melham, Rosberg scored a half-length win from Stay Cosmic ($20) with Bacash ($5.50) in third place.
McDonald said Rosberg had shown outstanding ability on the training tracks, just as a former member of his father’s stable Weekend Hussler had also shown.
Weekend Hussler won multiple Group 1 races over varying distances.
“He’s a really good colt this and I’ve said it all along, but it’s a bit gut-wrenching to see Angel Capital, but to have this horse is something special,” McDonald said.
“He’s a horse that, you should never compare, but he does special things that the Hussler used to do at home.
“It’s special.”
McDonald is aiming Rosberg at the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 1 and is planning to take the colt to the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington four weeks earlier.
Melham took over in the saddle from her husband Ben after that jockey had done all the work on Rosberg but was forced to miss the ride due to suspension.
She described the colt as a weapon.
“We know he’s a good horse, but he still does not know what he’s doing,” Melham said.
“Behind the gates, he was a bit rude today. He hated being on the rail inside those horses today and still, once he got out, he let down, but he was still only half of what I think this horse is.
“He’ll improve a lot from this. He’ll be ready for Ben (Melham) next start, I’m sure.”
