Growing pains have kept Roselyn’s Star away from the racetrack for the past twelve months but the Group placegetter is finally set to return at Rosehill.
While he has the outside gate in Saturday’s Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1100m), co-trainer Tom Charlton is banking on the gelding’s natural speed to offset it, along with the services of champion jockey James Mcdonald.
He is also unperturbed by a wet track, which Roselyn’s Star has proven he can handle, although if conditions do become extreme, connections have the option to wait for another day
“His natural race pattern is to be very quick from the gates so I don’t think the draw is potentially as much of an issue as it could be,” Charlton said.
“He will definitely handle the wet ground and he might even favour it. But if it gets really heavy and testing, whether he needs to be running on that at this stage of his campaign remains to be seen. We will monitor conditions.”
Roselyn’s Star showed above average ability at his initial preparation, breaking his maiden at his second start on the Kensington track and finishing runner-up to Espionage in the 2024 Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m).
He missed his three-year-old season but Charlton said the horse had no major issues and simply needed time to grow.
“He just had some immaturities in his body but he’s had a smooth run back in and two strong trials,” Charlton said.
“He is a very forward horse and we’d expect him to have a good campaign.
“We don’t know where his ceiling is but you’d like to think he might work through Saturday grade and he might be one for the Magic Millions next year.”
Roselyn’s Star is one of two Rosehill entries for Charlton and training partner John O’Shea, along with last start winner Metaphorically in the Congratulations Braith Nock Handicap (1200m).
Also rising four, Metaphorically has won on soft ground and placed at his only start on heavy and his trainers are keen to raise the bar from midweek company while he’s in form.
“He’s racing well and we’re hoping he can make his mark in Saturday grade,” Charlton said.
