Chris Waller has confirmed Wodeton will launch his spring campaign in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m), with the decision made as part of a carefully planned path towards next month’s Golden Rose (1400m).
Although not bullish about the colt’s winning prospects first-up, Waller said the San Domenico was a vital step in the bigger picture, ensuring the Golden Slipper placegetter has the right foundation for his Group 1 goal.
The trainer reflected on last year’s misfortune with Switzerland, who suffered a setback in The Run To The Rose and was forced to reroute through the Roman Consul and Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“If you just use The Run To The Rose as your lead-up race to the Golden Rose and you miss that you’re in trouble,” Waller said.
“It has happened a bit the last couple of years and we’ve been on the back foot and it is really hard to catch up.
“I’m sort of reluctant to be running over 1100 but I think it’s an important race for him towards the Golden Rose.”
Rated one of his generation’s top two-year-olds, Wodeton was a $2.90 second favourite on Thursday behind Raging Force ($2.30) for the San Domenico. Waller said he is more interested in seeing the colt finish strongly than winning first-up.
“Rosehill is an 1100-metre specialist distance and we’re trying to set up his preparation so I want to do things properly and see him finishing off,” Waller said.
“For him to win, they’d have to overdo it in front.
“It’s like a 100-metre race. You can’t just come in behind them and get cover and then run down Usain Bolt.”
Waller will also unveil former Godolphin colt Beiwacht in the San Domenico. The Silver Slipper winner has drawn wide, but Waller says the run is a stepping stone to bigger targets later in the spring.
“Although he is an 1100-metre, Group Two winner he is still a long way away from his big target,” Waller said.
“We will learn a bit more about him and that’s why we have kept Adam (Hyeronimus) on. Rather than bring in a new jockey, new trainer, we’ve just gone with the new trainer.”
Hyeronimus has been aboard Beiwacht in four of his five career starts as well as all three of his recent trials.
Punters interested in backing Wodeton or Beiwacht in the San Domenico Stakes can find the latest markets via Australia’s leading betting sites.