Switzerland and Gatsby’s have not yet scaled the lofty heights the stable had in mind earlier this Spring, but Chris Waller is hopeful quieter rides could see improved performances.
The two Snitzel colts will both step out in the $300,000 Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill.
The 1200-metre event will be just the second start for Switzerland as a three-year-old and fourth of the campaign for Gatsby’s, who was beaten as a $1.65 favourite last time out in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m).
It was the second defeat in a row for Gatsby’s, who was unplaced as $2.35 equal favourite with Storm Boy in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) after a brilliant first-up win from near-last and Waller keen to revert to those tactics.
“He wasn’t beaten far the other day and we’re looking forward to riding him just a little bit quieter if we get the opportunity,” Waller said.
“(We want to) sit back and unleash.”
Gatsby’s, who will be ridden by Josh Parr, is to start from the second-widest gate in the field that is down to nine runners after the early scratching of King Of Roseau and Erno’s Cube.
Switzerland, the Group 2 Todman Stakes winner from earlier in the year, will start from barrier four with Nash Rawiller to ride.
He failed to beat home any of his rivals first-up in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m), which was his first start since finishing unplaced in the Golden Slipper, but Waller was buoyed by a third placing in a 900m Rosehill trial last week won by Remarque.
“We rode him too aggressively (first-up), he got fired up and he wasn’t the same horse,” Waller said.
“He’s trialled since, he trialled well and he’s going good.”
Switzerland is a $6 chance in Roman Consul betting, behind Gatsby’s ($5) with Golden Slipper runner-up Coleman ($3.50) and unbeaten Capitalist colt Spirit Of Wealth ($4) the two ahead of the Waller duo.