Australia Stakes winner Schwarz to tackle Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield
An outstanding Australia Stakes win could be the perfect platform for valuable stallion Schwarz to become a Group 1 winner in Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.
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Schwarz’s time has arrived.
Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes will be Schwarz’s first chance to stamp himself as a prime stud candidate with a win at his maiden Group 1 test.
Schwarz was a $1.25m yearling that has returned more than half of that amount to his owners in only 10 starts but is set to earn bigger bucks for connections in the breeding barn after his racing days.
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Winning the CF Orr Stakes would add a hefty amount to his debut stud fee as Schwarz would emulate star stallions Redoute’s Choice, Lonhro and All Too Hard along with promising stallion Alabama Express.
“He’s got every credential in the book, a good pedigree and a good physique,” Tom Charlton, who trains Schwarz in partnership with John O’Shea, said.
“A son of Zoustar, they’re hard to get a good one of them so they’re pretty valuable.
“A Group 1 is a key to allowing the stud to put a good price on them when they do head to stud.”
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Schwarz had the perfect preparation for a Group 1 assignment when an easy first-up winner of the Group 2 Australia Stakes at The Valley when resuming last month.
The four-year-old simply ran his rivals into the ground when leading throughout to score by a comfortable two lengths.
Schwarz narrowly won last year’s Missile Stakes in Group 2 company in Sydney but went to another level with the manner of his Australia Stakes success.
“He’s a horse that had always shown the potential to do something like that,” Charlton said.
“It was probably the first time we’ve seen him deliver that in public on a big stage.
“The best asset of the win was the way he saw his rivals off through the mid-section of the race.
“I wasn’t surprised he did it, more pleased he was able to put it together and show what he’s capable of.”
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Schwarz must overcome the imposing Mr Brightside if he is to become a Group 1 winner in Saturday’s $750,000 contest.
However, Schwarz has a fitness advantage on Mr Brightside while last year’s CF Orr Stakes winner will give a start to the on-pace runner.
Charlton conceded Schwarz needed to improve but added the five-time winner would go into the CF Orr Stakes in top condition after a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday.
“When he pulled up from the spring, it was an idea to have him forward enough for these Group 1 races,” Charlton said.
“Now with a good foundation, we can head in with plenty of confidence in him and tackle the better horses around.
“Mr Brightside looked forward in his trials and has proven pretty effective in this race in the past.
“We’re not under any illusions and he’s going to have to improve again but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility for him to do that.”
Jockey Blake Shinn will again ride Schwarz in the CF Orr Stakes.
Originally published as Australia Stakes winner Schwarz to tackle Group 1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield
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