The undefeated colt Omolong is being targeted for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes during the 2026 Melbourne spring carnival, following his recent stylish victory at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday which kept his perfect record intact.

Omolong unleashed a powerful finishing surge to achieve his second win from as many starts in the Thank You ATC Members Handicap over 1100 metres.

Leading trainer Chris Waller indicated that Omolong would now enjoy a brief spell before being set for feature races later in the spring carnival.

“I’m predicting he will have a great future,” Waller said of Omolong. “A race like the Coolmore down the straight (Flemington) later in the spring I think will be ideal. Obviously, there is a lot of improvement still to come for him to do that but he’s still very raw, still developing, and I think there is a lot of upside to him. He has always shown us a lot of promise, he’s a bright, shining star.”.

Omolong, who was a drifting favourite at $3.10 with Australian betting sites, came from off the speed and sprinted impressively to catch Seeiaye ($6.50), with Satin Summer ($5.50) finishing third just over a length behind.

Kotor, a $3.10 equal favourite on debut, showed early speed but faded from the turn and finished seventh.

Waller commented that “Omolong has a lot of natural talent” and is expected to continue improving with racing experience and maturity as a spring three-year-old.

“The Golden Rose will come around too quickly for him so we will pick out something mid-spring and aim him at the Coolmore Stud Stakes,” Waller stated. “I remember Northern Meteor started late in the spring before winning the Coolmore so it will be that style of preparation for this colt.”

Star apprentice Siena Grima recorded her 29th city winner of the season on Omolong, placing her just one win behind Braith Nock in the Sydney apprentices’ premiership race.

“Omolong was a bit sweaty behind the gates, but he was still walking in nice, relaxed circles,” Grima reported. “He got into a beautiful spot and travelled lovely from there. He is very leggy and raw. He’s still got a lot to learn, so I didn’t want to upset him. I had him on the bridle travelling, which is what I was happy about. I just let him build from the five (hundred), got a lovely cart into the straight and once he was balanced up and in a good rhythm, once I went for him he continued to find.”

Waller praised Grima’s handling of the pressure in Sydney racing, noting her maturity exceeded her years.

“This is one of the toughest (riding) jurisdictions in the world but Siena continues to deal with that and is doing a fantastic job,” Waller remarked.

Omolong, the promising son of Newgate’s highly-rated sire Extreme Choice, was a late-season foal, born on December 19 three years ago.

Breeder Gerry Harvey, who retained 10 percent of the colt after selling him to Yulong for $850,000 at last year’s Magic Millions June Sale, was instrumental in convincing Newgate Farm supremo Henry Field to extend Extreme Choice’s breeding season into January.

Field admitted that without Harvey’s persistence, Omolong may not have been born. He recalled his conversation with the breeder about Extreme Choice as if it were yesterday.

“I was actually at a Keeneland Broodmare Sale (USA) when Gerry called,” Field told Racing And Sports earlier in the week. “Gerry asked if he could breed some mares to Extreme Choice in January. I told him no as the season traditionally finishes at the end of December. But I have to thank Gerry for ripping into me and giving me the kick up the backside I needed to have a rethink about Extreme Choice.”

Harvey, who doesn’t often accept rejection, ultimately convinced Field to take a different tack with Extreme Choice. When Field relented, Harvey sent several mares to Extreme Choice that January three years ago, including Samarmeteors, who was already the dam of stakes winner Prost. Omolong is the result of that particular mating.

Keep an eye on the latest racing odds for the Coolmore Stud Stakes as the spring carnival approaches.