Waller’s Golden Rose guns set for early spring showdown

A race day workout at Randwick has the unbeaten St Gotthard on target for a first-up tilt at the Run To The Rose where he is poised to take on a trio of talented stablemates.

The Group 2 winner was among three colts from the Chris Waller stable to have solo exhibition gallops at Randwick on Saturday, along with Fireball and Tron Bolt.

All are being prepared for the Golden Rose lead-up at Rosehill next Saturday, while Rosebud placegetter and barn mate Central Europe is also expected to join them in the sprint.

Tron Bolt clocked the quickest time of the three workers at Randwick, covering the 1000m in 1:07.93 and running home his final 600m sectional in 38.07 seconds.

While Waller would prefer the three-year-olds didn’t have to clash, he said they were all talented and chasing Group One wins for their resumes.

“They are lovely colts and all on the same path. They’ve got to try and win Group Ones in the spring,” Waller said.

“Most likely, they start at Rosehill in the Run To The Rose.

“It is an important starting point for our three. It is unavoidable (they clash).

“The Golden Rose, Coolmore (Stud Stakes), big sprints, Caulfield Guineas and obviously big feature races in Sydney are in the plans.”

St Gotthard and Central Europe are raced by similar ownership groups, led by Coolmore, and both colts boast stallion-worthy pedigrees.

Waller said it was a shame they were on an early spring collision course but the Run To The Rose (1200m) was the right race for each of them, and he felt Central Europe needed another run before the Golden Rose (1400m) on September 26.

“I would have liked to have split him and St Gotthard up with similar ownership,” Waller said.

“But I think Central Europe needs another sprint race before he gets out to 1400 metres.”

The Run To The Rose is one of four black-type races at Rosehill on Saturday along with the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m), Sheraco Stakes (1200m) and Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m).