Trapeze Artist swings in late to claim the Golden Rose
TRAINER Gerald Ryan claimed Saturday’s Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday, but it was the stablemate to the red-hot favourite Menari that claimed the prize.
Trapeze Artist came into the race as a $42.30 chance at Crownbet.com.au, but the colt stormed home in the latter stages of the race to streak away and record a brilliant win which belied its recent record since returning in August.
Jockey Josh Parr said the distance was too far for the short-priced favourite.
“The seven furlongs was just a little bit hard for him,” Parr said.
Fellow outsider Champagne Cuddles ($4.20 at WilliamHill.com.au) closed late to just finish ahead of the race favourite Menari, which failed to truly see out the 1400m.
Menari wilted but did enough to finish third and returned $1.40 to its Sportsbet.com.au investors.
The win for Trapeze Artist was the second big-name race the horse has claimed at huge odds after the colt took out the Group Three Black Opal in Canberra at $31, and despite coming into this race as a huge outsider, Ryan was confident.
“I have been saying for two weeks this horse has been flying under the radar, because of the path I have taken with him people just forgot about him,” Ryan said.
“I put blinkers on him third up in the Black Opal and he peaked and I kept telling the owners he is only being aimed at one race and one race only.”
Jockey Ty Angland said he knew he had the stablemate beaten a long way out, and had to change his tactics in the latter stages of the race.
“It’s the first time I have ridden him. I got onto Menari’s back from an awkward gate due to nice speed in the race,” Angland said.
“I actually had to pull off his back because I was going too good.”
Angland said he was not sure just how well Trapeze Artist would go in the Golden Rose, but was buoyed by a strong performance coming into the race.
“I followed him last start on Ace High and I got off his back before the corner because I didn’t think he was going any good and he beat me home.
“It boosted my confidence when Ace High came out and was dominant in the last race. So I was happy with his run last start. He had it won a long way out.”
All hype surrounded the favourite before the Golden Rose, but following Trapeze Artist’s win Ryan is now aiming high for Menari’s stablemate.
The trainer believes Trapeze Artist has the ability to make an impact in next week’s Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick.
“On his work you wouldn’t win a maiden but I was really happy with the horse going into the race and don’t be surprised if he backs up next week in the Epsom with 48kg on his back.”