Managing the focus of colts can be a significant hurdle in racing, making it a noteworthy achievement that Chris Waller has successfully prepared five of them for the prestigious Group 1 Golden Rose. The renowned trainer is set to field Campione D’italia, Tron Bolt, St Gotthard, Stormy Marco, and Central Europe in Saturday’s stallion-making event, all of whom he describes as well-behaved and concentrated three-year-olds.

Waller attributes his success not only to housing his colts separately from fillies and mares but also to the expertise of his staff in maintaining a happy and stress-free environment for the horses, which he believes enables them to perform at their peak.

“They’re absolute gentlemen,” Waller stated regarding his five Golden Rose hopefuls. “I’m going to give my team a wrap because it’s how they handle them, how they ride them, how they look after them. And I think it’s their ability as well, the horses. But if they’re not under pressure they’re enjoying life, and they’re not under pressure.”

St Gotthard is currently the leading contender among Waller’s contingent for the Golden Rose (1400m), priced at $4. This comes after the colt experienced his inaugural defeat in three starts, narrowly losing to Saturday’s competitor Warwoven in the Run To The Rose (1200m).

With James McDonald retaining the ride, Waller anticipates that the full brother to the promising stallion Switzerland will cope well with extending beyond 1200m for the first time. “His first-up run was good. James was very pleased, so that gave us the confidence to press onto this race,” he commented. “The 1400 metres should be no problem. He relaxes well. He’s still learning. First-up he did a few little things wrong but once he irons them out, he’s a very good horse.”

Alongside Castillo King, St Gotthard is among the least experienced runners in the Rosehill feature. While this inexperience might affect race craft, Waller suggests it also signifies greater potential for improvement. “In my opinion, he’s still got upside as well. A lot of the horses he’ll be racing may have plateaued, where he is still on the up,” Waller remarked. “So, while I see negatives with inexperience, I see a lot of positive things with him still improving.”

Although ten of the last 14 winners have emerged from the Run To The Rose, Waller has chosen a different path for Campione D’italia and Stormy Marco. Stormy Marco finished second in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) first-up, carrying 5-1/2 kilos less than the winner Persian Wonder. Waller drew parallels between this preparation and that of his 2018 Golden Rose victor, The Autumn Sun, who also suffered a defeat in his lead-up race, then known as the Stan Fox Stakes (1500m).

“The Autumn Sun came out of that type of race,” Waller recalled. “It was a distance he (Stormy Marco) was competitive over and he just peaked on his run with fifty to go with the big weight.” Waller is aiming for his fifth Golden Rose title and second consecutive win, following Beiwacht’s success 12 months prior.

For those keen to back a contender in the feature race, consider exploring the extensive racing odds available at Australian betting sites.