Switzerland helps ease Melbourne Cup pain for owners with Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes romp at Flemington

Switzerland gave his owners a Flemington carnival consolation with his an easy win in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes after the shock scratching of its Melbourne Cup runner.

Racing’s ability to shock and thrill in the space of a few days arose again in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.

The international Coolmore operation was left stunned when its unbeaten Melbourne Cup contender was ruled out of Tuesday’s race but flexed its power a few days later at both ends of the globe.

The Irish camp won two Grade 1 races on the first day of the rich Breeders’ Cup meeting in the US before Switzerland gave Coolmore the ultimate thrill at Flemington.

Switzerland carried the navy Coolmore silks to an easy win in the race the business sponsors, giving its promotions team the easiest possible advertisement when the colt eventually heads to stud.

And the first Group 1 of the 2024 #MelbCupCarnival goes to...

SWITZERLAND for @mcacajamez and @cwallerracing 👏

🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/FwjHl9juG8

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 2, 2024

Coolmore had the thrill of winning its race with Home Affairs in 2021 but Australian chief executive Tom Magnier said Switzerland helped ease the disappointment of Jan Brueghel’s scratching.

“We had a tough start to the week but this is racing, it gives us the biggest highs and the biggest lows,” Magnier said.

“It’s just put us all back up on cloud nine.

“It’s the stallion-making race in Australia and that’s the business we’re in to make stallions.

“This is the game we’re in and some days you get more than you deserve and other days you get less than you deserve.

“It’s a levelling sport and we’re just delighted to be part of it.”

Having Coolmore Stud Stakes contender in the Chris Waller stable always helps.

Switzerland’s dominant 2¾-length win was Waller’s sixth win in the feature event since 2013 and the third in four years for jockey James McDonald.

Switzerland storms to victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Waller said his team had some work to do after the son of Snitzel had a setback, which caused him to miss The Everest, before bouncing back with a win in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill.

Waller said Switzerland was still an immature type that could develop into a colt capable of tackling the world next year.

“For the colts, this is the race you need to win,” Waller said.

“Well, the beauty of winning a Group 1 race, it takes a little bit of pressure off.

“We’ve got to just now maintain his value, so logically, races like the Newmarket and Royal Ascot would be in our consideration.”

Kiwi filly Bellatrix Star produced a solid effort to run second while The Everest placegetter Growing Empire dead-heated for third with the Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot.

Originally published as Switzerland helps ease Melbourne Cup pain for owners with Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes romp at Flemington