Anthony Mithen confident best still to come from Hawkesbury Guineas favourite Schwarz

Breeder Anthony Mithen believes stallion prospect Schwarz will measure up as a sprinter next season, but the signs are positive heading into the Hawkesbury Guineas on Saturday.

Rosemont Stud boss Anthony Mithen remains confident it’s only a matter of time for stallion prospect Schwarz to fulfil his potential ahead of Saturday’s Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting.

Schwarz will be one of the most promising runners to line up on the program this weekend when the John O’Shea-trained colt contests the Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m).

The son of Zoustar is only lightly-raced with a Listed win already on his resume and has been competitive in both runs this preparation in stakes races.

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He was runner-up in the Listed Darby Munro first-up before racing without luck when sixth in the Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint last start.

“Schwarz has still got it all ahead of him and has to do it but I know John O’Shea and his team are extremely confident he will get it done at some stage of his career,” Mithen said.

“He is too exciting a horse to not race at four so we are hopeful whatever he does here, skipping into Brisbane after the Guineas, will be a bonus because we think he will measure up as a four-year-old sprinter.

“All the metrics that John and his team use point towards him being perfectly positioned for Saturday.

“His work has been terrific.”

Schwarz, winning during the Flemington carnival last spring, is the favourite in the Hawkesbury Guineas. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Schwarz is the $3.10 Guineas favourite with star jockey James McDonald booked to ride.

McDonald has also been booked to pilot Rosemont’s Doull in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m) with the Annabel Neasham-trained entire being prepared for a trip to Queensland and a likely crack at the Doomben 10,000.

The Group 2-winning colt is yet to have a run in 2024 and has returned in top order although there is a significant chance he could be saved for another day.

“Annabel thought there might be a better option for him in a week’s time and had concerns about the weather but will make the decision on Saturday morning,” Mithen said.

“He is on his mission to go up to Queensland and hopefully get that Group 1 up in Queensland then off to the stallion barn.”

On Friday, Doull was announced on Rosemont’s stallion roster for 2024, standing for $11,000 alongside Shamus Award ($38,500), Extreme Warrior ($16,5000) and Hanseatic ($16,500).

Originally published as Anthony Mithen confident best still to come from Hawkesbury Guineas favourite Schwarz