Powerful combo out to strike with Switzerland in Coolmore Stud Stakes

Chris Waller, James Mcdonald and Coolmore have already teamed up to win a Coolmore Stud Stakes with a son of I Am Invincible and this Saturday they will look to do likewise with a son of Australia’s only other active multiple champion stallion award winner.

The powerful team, who won the 2022 Coolmore with Home Affairs, will combine with Switzerland in the $2 million Group 1 that is arguably the most important race for three-year-old stud prospects.

The son of Snitzel heads into the race off a brilliant win in the Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) on October 12 and a straight-track familiarisation gallop last week had Waller and McDonald comfortable with where he is at.

“He’s a good colt, a very exciting horse,” Waller said.

“He injured himself in the Golden Slipper and unfortunately we never got to see the best of him in that race, but every other race he’s performed particularly well.

“He’s coming to Melbourne in really good form, winning the Roman Consul (last start), and he trialled up the straight last Friday, which is always a good guide for us.

“James McDonald was aboard and he had a smile from ear to ear.”

Switzerland is chasing a maiden Group 1 win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes with the Roman Consul Stakes win his second at Group 2 level following Todman Stakes success as a two-year-old.

Snitzel won four-straight Australian Champion Stallion titles from 2016/17 onwards, but is yet to sire a winner of the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

The Arrowfield-based son of Redoute’s Choice had Bruckner run second, albeit five lengths behind Home Affairs, while Shinzo and Wild Ruler have finished third in the past four years.

The Coolmore has well and truly justified its tag as a ‘stallion-making’ race since moving to Derby Day in 2006 with the first seven colts to win it as a Group 1 – Northern Meteor, Star Witness, Sepoy, Zoustar, Brazen Beau, Flying Artie and Merchant Navy – all Group 1-winning stallions.

Exceedance’s oldest progeny have just turned three, while Home Affairs and last year’s winner Ozzmosis are yet to have any runners.

Switzerland is one of three sons of Snitzel in this year’s Coolmore, joined by stablemate Gatsby’s and last week’s Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) winner Bittercreek.

Switzerland, a $1.5m Inglis Easter purchase, is one of two seven-figure yearlings in the race, accompanied by $1.6m Magic Millions Gold Coast purchase Bodyguard, who is a son of I Am Invincible.

Other high-priced yearlings engaged in this year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes include First Settler ($750,000), Growing Empire ($700,000), Coleman ($550,000) and Yoshinobu ($550,000).