Chris Waller’s $2.7 million colt St Gotthard is set to bypass Gosford for a stakes race at the Gold Coast, but the leading trainer will still retain a strong hand in the two-year-old race on the stand-alone program.
A debut winner in midweek grade at Warwick Farm last month, St Gotthard will line up in Saturday’s Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) in Queensland for which he is a $3.80 favourite.
He also heads betting for the Win $100K @ The Coast Raceday 2YO Handicap (1200m) at the Central Coast track, but Waller is keen to give the full brother to Group 1 winner Switzerland a black-type opportunity.
“At this stage, St Gotthard is going to go to the Gold Coast,” Waller said.
“He’s a nice horse and he’s gone the right way since winning.”
St Gotthard’s withdrawal will leave the Waller stable with a quartet of juvenile runners at Gosford – Zynaro, Quarterback, Whitehall and Air Of Solace.
The former makes his NSW debut after finishing third over 1000m at Mornington when he held his position throughout, while Quarterback is coming off a minor placing on the Kensington track.
Both Whitehall and Air Of Solace were unplaced at their respective debuts, but Waller expects improved showings from both.
“Zynardo is coming up from Melbourne. He’s been here for a week or so and has settled in really well. He ran a good placing in his only Melbourne run,” Waller said.
“Whitehall has drawn a bit wide. He’s a good horse but he just needs a bit of experience, while Quarterback ran well on debut and will appreciate the extra distance.
“Air Of Solace, he blew the start at Hawkesbury on debut, but he has been back to the trials since and he trialled well.
“They are all nice, progressive horses.”
In the absence of St Gotthard, the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Priory Park is poised to take over favouritism at Gosford after breaking his maiden in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1000m) at Muswellbrook last start.
I Am Dirty, from the Bjorn Baker yard, is also well in commission after enduring a tough run from a wide gate when midfield behind the promising Bangkok Hottie at Randwick at his only race day appearance.
