Storm Boy dominant favourite in star-studded 2024 Run To The Rose

Sixteen of the most talented three-year-olds in training have been entered for Saturday’s $300,000 feature, which is a key lead-in to the Group 1 Golden Rose.

Adam Hyeronimus comes back to scale aboard Storm Boy after winning the San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on August 31. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Storm Boy, Coolmore’s crack colt, has been installed a dominant favourite despite the star-studded entry for the Group 2 $300,000 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

There are 16 of the most talented three-year-olds in training entered for the Run To The Rose but TAB Fixed Odds has the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Storm Boy as the $2.30 favourite ahead of Godolphin’s Traffic Warden at $5 and the promising Switzerland at $6.

• Slashing trial gives The Everest slot-holders plenty to Think About

Bustling, the former top Perth sprinter who has already been selected for the $20 million The TAB Everest by his new owners and slot-holders, Max Whitby and Neil Werrett, is the only other horse under double figures at $9.

Also among Run To The Rose entries are unbeaten duo Emirate and Daggers, Gatsby’s, Linebacker, High Octane and Tropicus.

But TAB Fixed Odds spokesman Tim Ryan said he would be taking no risks with Storm Boy after the boom colt’s brilliant comeback win in the San Domenico Stakes and with the knowledge the inside rail will be out 5m on Saturday.

"What a great return to racing."

Storm Boy and Adam Hyeronimus too strong in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill, the @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott colt led all the way to beat Mayfair and Tropicus. @[e-mail]/Lhb4QtV6ER

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 31, 2024

• ‘In short, the tracks are unfair’: Richard Callander explains why racing can’t afford rock-hard surfaces

The Everest hopeful Joliestar has been entered for two races but trainer Chris Waller has indicated his preference to run the brilliant mare in the Group 2 $300,000 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) rather than the Group 2 $300,000 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).

Joliestar, who romped away with the Show County Quality when resuming, has already been backed from $1.90 to $1.70 in the Sheraco Stakes. Another possible Everest contender, Sunshine In Paris, is next at $3.

Joliestar returns with a bang! That was arrogant 😳 @[e-mail]/PJd0XxfDtb

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024

• How $8000 bargain buys renewed Scott Aspery’s love of training

The Theo Marks has 21 strong entries with dual Group 1 winner Celestial Legend, who will carry topweight of 59g, second favourite at $4 in early betting for his comeback race behind Bases Loaded at $3.50.

■ Japan’s Ascoli Piceno has joined Celestial Legend on the top line of betting at $4.50 for the $10 million Golden Eagle after an impressive win in the Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap at Nakayama on Sunday.

■ Trainer Luke Pepper has advised Racing NSW stewards that his classy mare Opal Ridge has been spelled and will not contest the $2 million The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick on Everest Day.

Originally published as Storm Boy dominant favourite in star-studded 2024 Run To The Rose