Chris Waller’s $2.7 million colt St Gotthard looks likely to skip the Gosford meeting in favour of a stakes event at the Gold Coast, though the top trainer maintains a solid presence in the two-year-old feature on the standalone card.
The newcomer triumphed on debut in midweek company at Warwick Farm last month and now targets Saturday’s Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) up in Queensland, where he’s installed as the $3.80 market elect.
St Gotthard was the frontrunner in markets for the Win $100K @ The Coast Raceday 2YO Handicap (1200m) at the Central Coast venue, yet Waller prefers to chase black-type honours for the full sibling of Group 1 victor 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.”
Without St Gotthard, Waller’s barn fields four juveniles at Gosford: Zynaro, Quarterback, Whitehall and Air Of Solace.
Zynaro enters New South Wales racing for the first time post a third over 1000m at Mornington where he stuck on gamely, as Quarterback returns from a lesser placing at Kensington.
Whitehall and Air Of Solace failed to place on debut, but Waller anticipates better efforts from each.
“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.”
With St Gotthard out, Priory Park from Annabel and Rob Archibald’s stable is set to claim top billing at Gosford following his maiden-breaking success in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1000m) at Muswellbrook most recently.
I Am Dirty, prepared by Bjorn Baker, remains a strong contender too after a challenging effort from the outside draw when caught midfield behind the emerging Bangkok Hottie during his sole outing at Randwick.
Explore the Australian betting sites for the latest racing odds on the Gosford two-year-old handicap.
