Trapeze Artist upstaged stablemate Menari to record a stunning win in the 2017 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.
Trapeze Artist was nothing short of dominant in the 2017 Golden Rose Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
It was Menari that was expected to deliver trainer Gerald Ryan a win in the Golden Rose, but it was Trapeze Artist that showed a stunning turn-of-foot to win the Group 1 event like an even money chance.
Menari loomed at the 250 metre mark, but Trapeze Artist stormed past him down the outside and continued to run away from his rivals to record a simply incredible Golden Rose Stakes victory.
Trainer Gerald Ryan said that he was not surprised by the performance of Trapeze Artist in the 2017 Golden Rose Stakes and he indicated that the talented colt could back-up next weekend in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).
“I wasn’t surprised by that horses run,” Ryan said.
“For two weeks this horse has been flying under the radar and because of the path that I have taken with him people have just forgotten about him.
“Last time it was the same – I put blinkers on him third-up in the Black Opal and I kept telling the owners that he was being aimed at one race and one race only.
“He has done it today.
“I personally believe that Menari was too close on a hot speed, but take nothing away from this horse – he was four wide the whole way.
“He has beaten them easily, but this isn’t a fluke – he was the second colt home in the Golden Slipper, he ran second in the Sires and both those colts were on their first preparation.
“Since he ran here a fortnight ago he has just gleamed at home and his coat has come good.
“On his work he wouldn’t win a maiden, but I was really happy with him going into the race.
“Don’t be surprised if this horse backs up in the Epsom next week with 48 and a half on his back.”
Jockey Tye Angland has not had a great deal of success in the Golden Rose Stakes in the past – he did not have a great deal of luck on Scissor Kick in 2014 or Press Statement in 2015 – and he was clearly delighted to have won the race for the first time.
“This is the first time that I have ridden him,” Angland said.
“We got on Menari’s back from an awkward gate, but I actually had to pull off his back because I was going too good.
“This race has been a bit of a killer for me, so it is good to change that luck for me today.
“I followed him last start on Ace High and I got off his back before the corner and be beat me home, so it boosted my confidence when Ace High came out and won the last race.
“He had it run a long way out.”
Champagne Cuddles continued her excellent campaign to finish second, while Menari was not disgraced in third.
