St Gotthard showed he is worth every cent of his $2.7 million price tag with a stunning win in the Group 3 $200,000 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained St Gotthard was having just his second race start but kept his unbeaten record intact when he put a margin on his chasing rivals.
Champion jockey James McDonald has ridden St Gotthard in both starts and is already the number one ticket-holder of the colt’s fan club.
“He cost a lot of money but he has a beautiful temperament, killer looks and incredible acceleration – he’s a beauty, he’s all class,” McDonald said.
St Gotthard ($2.40 favourite) came from off pace, went wide on the turn then let down with a booming run and careered away to win by a widening four lengths from Silken Salute ($8.50) with Boomelli ($8.50) a length further back in third place.
A superbly-bred two-year-old by Arrowfield’s great stallion Snitzel out of the imported mare Ms Bad Behaviour, St Gotthard is a full-brother to Group 1 winner Switzerland and was purchased by a high profile syndicate led by Coolmore for $2.7 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year.
Waller, who also trained Switzerland, has been patient with St Gotthard and didn’t push the colt towards the Golden Slipper earlier in autumn.
Instead, St Gotthard made a low key debut at Warwick Farm where he won impressively but he went to another level at the Gold Coast.
Waller wasn’t on track at the Gold Coast but stable representative Darren Beadman described the imposing St Gotthard as a “classic looking colt”.
“He could have easily lined up in some of the bigger races over the autumn carnival but Chris, being the trainer he is, treats them all as individuals and gave this colt time and it is getting dividends now,” Beadman said.
“It was just nice to see him add another dimension to his race pattern today. They went quite quick up front but he sat back ‘curling the mo’ behind them then let loose in the straight.”
St Gotthard was so impressive he firmed from $8 to $3.50 equal favourite with The Next Episode for the Group 2 $1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 30.
