Chris Waller’s decision to pull up stumps early in Gatsby’s autumn campaign delivers paydirt with a first-up win in The Rosebud at Rosehill

Champion trainer Chris Waller’s decision to spell Gatsby’s rather than progress through the autumn was vindicated when the colt demolished his rivals in The Rosebud at Rosehill.

Gatsby’s and James McDonald race to an easy win in the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Which three-year-old is the one to follow this spring carnival – Gatsby’s or Autumn Glow?

They were both impressive winners at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, they are trained by Hall of Famer Chris Waller, and seem destined for stardom.

Even Waller is unsure what heights Gatsby’s or Autumn Glow could scale in coming weeks but it is going to be compelling to watch both exciting young horses progress to better class races.

Autumn Glow made an impressive debut in the Schweppes Handicap to open the Rosehill meeting but that was only the entree before the main course – Gatsby’s outstanding return to racing in the Listed $200,000 The Rosebud (1200m).

“There has been lots of promising horses on the track today so it’s looking good for the spring,” Waller said, referring to the wins of Gatsby’s and Autumn Glow plus the exhibition gallops of his Group 1 stars Fangirl, Via Sistina, Joliestar, Zougotcha, Riff Rocket and Atishu.

“But this horse, Gatsby’s, he’s got a great future ahead.”

Gatsby’s ($4.20) unleashed a brilliant burst of acceleration under champion jockey James McDonald to seize control of The Rosebud and streak clear to win by nearly two lengths from the fast finishing Clear Proof ($10) with High Octane ($6) a half-length away third.

Godolphin colt Tarpaulin was sent out $3 favourite but raced disappointingly and finished at the rear of the field.

Gatsby’s, a son of Arrowfield Stud super sire Snitzel – his sixth dam is 1961 Golden Slipper winner Magic Night – and he showed promise last season winning on debut before finishing fourth in the Pago Pago Stakes.

But Waller didn’t persevere with an autumn two-year-old campaign as he had designs on the colt’s three-year-old season.

“With the owners’ support, we backed off and didn’t get too caught up in the carnival. We tested the water though, and it has made a man out of him,” Waller said. “He has come back bigger, stronger and better.”

That's a MORE than great win to Gatsby's in the Listed Rosebud today! 🌹@[e-mail]/S3iCW0rMZ2

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2024

Waller revealed he sometimes second guesses himself when he errs on the side of caution with a promising two-year-old and spells them rather than chase the big money juvenile races but the wins of Gatsby’s and Autumn Glow were vindication of his patient approach.

“We don’t really pull the trigger and you scratch your head halfway through the two-year-old season,” Waller said.

“You see Waterhouse-Bott getting winners, Snowden, Godolphin, producing good two-year-olds week-in, week-out.

“I always second guess myself midway through the two-year-old season, am I doing the right thing? Can I push this horse harder? It gets to you after a while.

“But when you start a new season at three and you hit the ground running, it’s actually a bit of a relief.

“We do make sacrifices with our horses at two, but we get repaid most years.”

McDonald also believes the decision to spell Gatsby’s after his Pago Pago defeat was the right call.

The track gallops continue at Rosehill!

Here’s the analysis of Joliestar (@mcacajamez), Zougotcha (@TommyBerry21) and Atishu (@G1TySchil) 🏇@cwallerracing@[e-mail]/SWWGzdsnjG

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2024

“It might have been a blessing because he was only getting there on sheer ability,” McDonald said.

“He was a really light sort of colt last season but now, he has really furnished and he’s so adaptable, wet or dry, forward, back.

“He’s a sprinter. He feels like a sprinter to me, anyway. I don’t think he will stretch past 1400m. He has shown heaps at home. He has been going really well.”

Waller has not locked in a spring program for Gatsby’s as he wanted to see how the colt acquitted himself in The Rosebud.

“He has come back really well. We saw a glimpse in his trial the other day, he extended really well in the trial,” Waller said.

“But until they do it race day you don’t really know and it was pretty exciting to watch today.

“I don’t really know where we will go with this colt. James will be a big help to us, he’ll be riding some of the better ones and he’ll get a feel for where he fits in.

“I thought he was in harshly at the weights today for a horse that had only won $30,000 prize money, I was wondering how he was going to get into the Run To The Rose to tell the truth, but he’s done it and proved himself.”

Originally published as Chris Waller’s decision to pull up stumps early in Gatsby’s autumn campaign delivers paydirt with a first-up win in The Rosebud at Rosehill