The undefeated colt Omolong is being considered for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes during the Melbourne spring carnival, following his latest impressive victory at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. This win maintained his perfect record.

Omolong produced a formidable finishing burst to secure his second career win from two starts in the Thank You ATC Members Handicap over 1100 metres.

Renowned trainer Chris Waller indicated that Omolong would now have a brief spell before being pointed towards major races later in the spring.

“I’m predicting he will have a great future,” Waller commented regarding 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 top betting apps Australia, made up ground from off the pace and demonstrated an impressive sprint to catch Seeiaye ($6.50). Satin Summer ($5.50) finished a length behind in third.

Kotor, a $3.10 equal favourite on her debut, showed early speed but weakened from the turn, ultimately finishing seventh.

Waller stated, “Omolong has a lot of natural talent” and is expected to develop further with experience and maturity as a three-year-old this spring.

“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 explained. “I remember Northern Meteor started late in the spring before winning the Coolmore so it will be that style of preparation for this colt.”

Talented apprentice jockey Siena Grima achieved her 29th city win of the season aboard 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 ability to handle the pressures of Sydney racing with remarkable maturity for her age.

“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, a promising son of Newgate’s influential sire Extreme Choice, was born late in the season on December 19 three years ago.

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

Field acknowledged that without Harvey’s persistence, Omolong might not exist. He recalled his conversation with the breeder about Extreme Choice vividly.

“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, known for not accepting ‘no’ easily, ultimately swayed Field to adopt an unconventional approach with Extreme Choice. When Field agreed, Harvey sent several mares to Extreme Choice that January three years ago, including Samarmeteors, the dam of stakes winner Prost. Omolong is the offspring of that mating.

Punters looking for value might find competitive racing odds available on the Coolmore Stud Stakes at leading Australian betting sites.