Leading conditioner Chris Waller plans to divert his $2.7 million colt St Gotthard away from Gosford to contest a stakes race at the Gold Coast, yet he holds a formidable group in the two-year-old contest amid the standalone fixture.
A winner at first ask in midweek racing at Warwick Farm during the previous month, St Gotthard prepares for Saturday’s Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) in Queensland as the $3.80 top pick.
The colt led the betting for the Win $100K @ The Coast Raceday 2YO Handicap (1200m) at the Central Coast track, but Waller aims to secure black-type for the full brother of Group 1 winner Switzerland.
“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 defection leaves Waller with four juvenile hopefuls at Gosford: Zynaro, Quarterback, Whitehall, and Air Of Solace.
Zynaro makes his NSW bow after securing third over 1000m at Mornington by maintaining his spot, whereas Quarterback follows a minor finish at Kensington.
Whitehall and Air Of Solace were winless on debut outings, with Waller forecasting enhancement from the pair.
“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 St Gotthard’s place, Priory Park trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald is positioned to assume favouritism at Gosford after capturing his maiden in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1000m) at Muswellbrook recently.
Bjorn Baker’s I Am Dirty stays in the mix having battled from a wide post to midfield behind rising star Bangkok Hottie at Randwick for his only previous race.
Discover the best racing betting markets ahead of the Gosford two-year-old showdown.
