St Gotthard demonstrated he justifies his $2.7 million purchase price through a breathtaking victory in the Group 3 $200,000 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) held at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The Chris Waller-prepared St Gotthard was contesting only his second career outing yet preserved his perfect record by surging clear of his pursuers.

Top jockey James McDonald, who has partnered St Gotthard in each of his appearances, has swiftly become the leading supporter of the colt.

“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.

Sent out as the $2.40 favourite, St Gotthard tracked from midfield, swept to the outside entering the straight and unleashed a powerful finish to score by an increasing four lengths over Silken Salute ($8.50), while Boomelli ($8.50) finished one length adrift in third.

This elegantly bred two-year-old, sired by Arrowfield’s champion Snitzel from the imported mare Ms Bad Behaviour, shares full-sibling status with Group 1 victor Switzerland and was snapped up for $2.7 million by a prominent group headed by Coolmore during last year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Waller, the handler of Switzerland as well, adopted a measured approach with St Gotthard, opting against rushing him into the Golden Slipper during the autumn campaign.

Rather, St Gotthard notched a quiet first-up success at Warwick Farm in dominant fashion, elevating his performance further at the Gold Coast venue.

Although Waller was absent from the Gold Coast meeting, his stable rep Darren Beadman labelled the striking 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.”

St Gotthard’s dominant display saw him shorten from $8 into $3.50 joint favouritism alongside The Next Episode for the Group 2 $1 million BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 30.

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