The $2.7 million investment in St Gotthard paid handsome dividends as he powered to an emphatic success in Saturday’s Group 3 $200,000 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast.
Trained by Chris Waller, St Gotthard notched his second start and maintained an unblemished record by distancing his opposition.
Jockey James McDonald, riding the colt for the second time, has emerged as his foremost admirer.
“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.
Starting at $2.40 on course, St Gotthard raced rearward, took the wide path on the corner and surged clear with a devastating burst to win by four expanding lengths from Silken Salute ($8.50), Boomelli ($8.50) third, a length away.
Bred in the purple as a Snitzel colt from imported dam Ms Bad Behaviour at Arrowfield, he is a full-brother to Group 1 conqueror Switzerland and fetched $2.7 million from a Coolmore syndicate at last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Waller, successful with Switzerland too, took a patient stance with St Gotthard rather than forcing him into autumn majors like the Golden Slipper.
He began modestly at Warwick Farm with a strong win, then peaked at the Gold Coast meeting.
Not present at Gold Coast, Waller’s foreman Darren Beadman called the impressive St Gotthard 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.”
His electric win compressed St Gotthard’s odds from $8 right into $3.50 joint fave with The Next Episode for the Group 2 $1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 30.
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