Rosberg to get look at Flemington straight ahead of 2025 Danehill Stakes

Rosberg will have the chance to familiarise himself with the Flemington straight before chasing his spring targets in the Group races to come.

The unbeaten colt, who claimed the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on debut, will head to the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) on October 4 before lining up in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on November 1.

The Victoria Racing Club advanced its three-year-old straight-course jump-out this season to coincide with two-year-old trials, with VRC’s Leigh Jordan confirming trainers had pushed for the earlier date. “There was feedback, not just from outside trainers, but from internal trainers as well, who felt the trial would be better this week,” he said.

McDonald said the trial was as much about education as performance. “It will be good for the horse and the punters to see him down the straight before he goes there,” he said. “It’s important for every horse. There’s huge prize money on the line and plenty of betting turnover as well.”

The colt has been thriving since his debut win. “He’s done so well we had to get him away from Cranbourne for a gallop at Caulfield. He eats everything, holds condition, and needs plenty of work to keep him focused. The more we do with him, the quicker he’ll learn,” McDonald explained.

Although entered for the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas, McDonald confirmed Rosberg will bypass them. “He was probably a run short for those races, so we’ll stick with the Danehill into the Coolmore plan,” he said.