King’s Gambit lands the crown in Roman Consul Stakes

Paul Snowden will almost certainly resist any temptation to back-up brilliant Roman Consul Stakes winner in The Everest, but he won’t be surprised to see the colt in the $20 million sprint next year.

One slot remains to be filled with Yulong yet to confirm its runner for next week and while Snowden says the final decision will rest with the three-year-old’s owners, he is preferring the Coolmore Stud Stakes an as option.

“I think the best thing for the horse is to wait twelve months. Today there are 10,000 people (on track), on Everest day there is 50,000 people and that can bring him undone pre-race.

“I think he will be there next year.

“I would like to have a crack at the race down the straight (Coolmore).”

Group 1 placed in the Golden Slipper at two, King’s Gambit has been a work in progress and the team have taken him for several race day experiences without running him to help him learn to harness his nerves.

It didn’t work out first-up in Melbourne when he over-raced in front and tired to finish third, but the hard work paid off in Saturday’s Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

Tommy Berry let King’s Gambit ($5) find his feet early and he zipped home along the inside to score by 1-3/4 lengths over Mexico ($41) with Ozzmosis ($2.45 Boombet fav) suffering his first defeat, another short head away third.

Topping off the win was the fact King’s Gambit delivered it on Peter Snowden’s birthday.

“We have put a lot of work into this bloke,” Snowden said.

“It’s all worthwhile. We wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t think he was capable of winning like that.

“If he gets it right, that is what he can do. He’s a very, very good horse.

“I still feel we’ve only seen fifty per cent of what he can do.”

Trainer Bjorn Baker wasn’t disappointed in Ozzmosis, who jockey Rachel King said, “was pretty naughty in the gates today”, and Baker will keep him fresh for a rematch with King’s Gambit in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) next month.

“Hopefully we get him to peak there and if he does, he’s going to be right in the race,” Baker said.

“He’s gone well. I would have loved a touch more time into this race from his first-up run, but he will be spot-on with a four-week break.”