Vinery Stud graduate Gatsby’s announced he will be a significant player at the spring carnivals when he won pulling up in The Rosebud (LR, 1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Gatsby’s powered home from the second-half of the field and afforded jockey James McDonald the luxury of a sustained look at the infield screen to confirm the ease of his victory. “He’s a really good horse and so adaptable,” J-Mac declared. “Doesn’t matter whether it’s wet or dry or if he settles forward or back. He’s shown us heaps at home since Day 1 and it’s all ahead of him.”
The strapping chestnut son of Snitzel was bred by Phoenix Thoroughbreds and was sold by Vinery (as agent) to Aramco Racing’s Singapore-based owner Chua Song Ru for $220,000 at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
His USA-bred dam Miss Charming (Forestry) was a Hollywood Park winner and is a half-sister to Group 1 Del Mar Oaks winner Tout Charmant (Slewvescent). She also foaled Snitzel filly Letzbeglam to win the 2020 Blue Diamond Prelude (Gr.2, 1100m) at Caulfield for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay.
Gatsby’s won at Canterbury on debut in February and was spelled following an odds-on fourth to Dublin Down (Exceedance) in the Pago Pago Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) in March. He dominated a high-class renewal of The Rosebud and, if asked, could have extended the two-length margin over Clear Proof (Justify) and High Octane (Deep Field)
“It all came a bit too soon for him in the autumn and he’s had a decent break,” trainer Chris Waller said. “He’s got a bright future. He’s got all the attributes and spring’s looking good. He’s got a brain and works with you and that will be his biggest asset.”
The Run To The Rose (Gr.2, 1200m) on September 14 is his next assignment followed by the Golden Rose (Gr.1, 1400m) on September 28. The Rosebud result saw him firm from $15 into $8 for the $1 million feature race behind Broadsiding ($3.50) and Storm Boy ($6).
Gatsby’s is the 146th Stakes winner by Snitzel and joins the champion sire’s roll-call of Vinery graduates that includes Group 1 winners Shamus Award (MVRC W S Cox Plate) and Russian Revolution (MRC Oakleigh Plate).
This year’s Vinery Open Days are on Saturday 24 August and Sunday 25 August. Gates open at 8:30am and the stallions start parading at 9am. Registration is essential so that it can be correctly catered to avoid wastage. Contact McKoy on (02) 6543 8333 or mckoy@vinery.com.au
