News

Patience pays off as Rothesay keeps his perfect record

13th Sep 2009

Sydney Morning Herald - Craig Young - Sunday, 13 September 2009

THE once unwanted Rothesay is yet another emerging three-year-old in what may be a golden crop of classic contenders.

''I reckon they are a really grouse crop of three-year-olds, especially the colts,'' astute horseman Gerald Ryan said after Rothesay made it two wins from as many starts when scoring at Rosehill yesterday.

After a brilliant debut win in mid-July, Rothesay's spring assault was interrupted when he was struck down with a virus.

Treatment meant Rothesay couldn't race, but Ryan has never been one to rush.

While Rothesay was boxed at Rosehill and confined to light duties, the likes of Denman and Trusting, from the same age bracket, went to the top of the three-year-olds' tree.

Then there was More Than Great, So You Think and Onemorenomore. Rothesay's victory has set up a showdown with several of those mentioned above in Stan Fox Stakes and/or the Roman Consul Stakes.

''We'll see how he does,'' Ryan said. ''The ultimate aim is for Rothesay to head to Melbourne with group 1 races like the Caulfield Guineas and the Coolmore, down the straight six at Flemington, the options.

''The Caulfield Guineas over the 1600m or the Coolmore over 1200m?

''I'd say the Guineas on that run today.

''They went slow today and he's come home quick, but we'll let the horse tell us, I'm in no hurry.'''

Rothesay was sent out a red-hot favourite and after a slow getaway, along with a bustling ride from Corey Brown, the Fastnet Rock colt was strong on the line.

''At this stage he is pretty untapped,'' Brown said. ''He flopped out at the start and wouldn't go. At the 600m, I'm riding him along. At the point of the home turn, watching you would have thought he was gone. Really, he was only just getting warmed up at the finish.''

Brown has also won on Ryan's high-quality filly Melito.

''Melito has a bright future and this one really has a bright future,'' Brown said.

At the Inglis Yearling Sale two years ago, Ryan could not take his eyes off Rothesay.

''He was passed in and I kept going back to look at him, couldn't get anyone keen on him,'' he said.

Owner-breeder Sue Sudak knew Ryan was a fan of the colt.

''On the 10th day after the sale I looked at him again and Sue said 'You like him don't you? You can train him','' Ryan said. ''He didn't look like a two-year-old, that's why no one wanted him.''

Rothesay easily accounted for Turf Express and debutant Even Money yesterday and Ryan was not concerned about the slow start.

''He is like that, he has never shown gate speed,'' Ryan said.

''He'll sharpen up - think about it, he has had three trials and two races in his life. He is a laid-back horse. He was getting around the place before he trialled 10 days ago like you'd think he was a 10-year-old gelding.''