Switzerland surges clear in Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes
The Chris Waller-trained Switzerland ($5.00) appears back to his brilliant best after claiming the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon.
The three-year-old Snitzel colt was too bad to be true, returning at this course and distance in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) on September 14, firing up badly in the middle stages before finishing last of nine.
He surged through the line in a recent barrier trial to suggest he was back on track, and thanks to a superb steer by Nash Rawiller, that’s exactly what punters got on Saturday.
He sat behind a hot tempo courtesy of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Ikasara ($17.00) storming to the top in the early stages by Adam Hyeronimus, continuing to bowl along with some fast splits turning for home.
The I Am Invincible colt was hanging tough in the final furlong as Switzerland cruised up along the inside running rail, while Coleman ($3.30) was mounting a late charge down the centre of the course under Kerrin McEvoy.
It was all in vain, however, with Switzerland off and gone with prize, leaving Coleman, Yoshinobu ($26.00), and Ikasara left to fight out the minor money, while favourite backers were left scratching their heads regarding Spirit Of Wealth ($3.40) finishing last of the eight runners.
2024 Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes Replay – Switzerland
It was all about the winner in the end, as Chris Waller spoke about the victory and where to next for the Coolmore colt.
“Yeah, he’s a good colt,” said Waller.
“He just got himself worked up first-up which is not him. It’s out of character.
“He’s actually a beautiful natured horse. We just had him too fresh first-up and we rode him too close. It just wasn’t a pretty moment.
“We asked him a lot at two, and then we asked him to come back at three and when they have a bad game, it’s all about getting your confidence up and scoring a goal.
“We did that in a trial without winning and we thought we had him back on track. But today will just take it to a new level.
“They’re a great group of owners (Coolmore).
“We had Yes Yes Yes in it (the Everest) and he won it. And this horse is every bit as good as Yes Yes Yes.”
Nash Rawiller was pleased with the victory and credited the Chris Waller team to getting Switzerland back to his best.
“Yeah, what a colt,” said Rawiller.
“We all saw nothing went right for him (first-up) and apparently last time from as far as the tie-ups before the race he was sort of mucking things up.
“So full credit to Chris and his team, they’ve got him here today in outstanding order and the right frame of mind to run well and he finished up in a beautiful spot.
“I loved the way he relaxed today and he was explosive when I went for him.
“He’s got a real x-factor about him. And today was my honour to ride him.”
Coolmore still have their slot available for next Saturday’s $20 million Everest (1200m), with Switzerland and Storm Boy both priced at $15.00 with horse racing bookmakers.
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